A man who crashed his car in a Shoprite car park while over the drink-drive limit has been banned from driving for two years.

Andrew John Gregory, of Fairy Hill Close, in Port Erin, was reported to police by the owner of the vehicle his car had collided with.

The accident happened at Port Erin Shoprite car park on October 17.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on October 17 at 3.35pm, police were called to an accident at Shoprite in Port Erin.

A witness reported returning to their vehicle to find Gregory fixing a note to their windscreen.

He was said to be smelling of alcohol and unsteady on his feet.

He failed a roadside breathalyser test and was subsequently arrested.

He told police: ’I had a couple of drinks last night. I had one today.’

He failed the further test at police headquarters with the reading of 55 - the legal limit is 35.

In a police interview Gregory, aged 49, said he had drunk three or four vodka and cokes the previous night and had then consumed two vodka and cokes between 1pm and 2pm on the day in question.

He said he then went shopping, where his car collided with the witness’s vehicle in the car park.

Defence advocate James Peterson said: ’Mr Gregory was full and frank with police, he admitted he had been drinking.

’In respect of the collision, he did attempt to leave a note at the scene.

’He fully accepts he had no reasonable excuse to be drinking and driving.

’Mr Gregory works as a Department of Infrastructure electrician maintaining buildings.

’He drives as part of his work and acts as cover for other electricians.

’There may be some scope for him to be placed elsewhere in the DoI but it may be that it will cost him his job. If he is fortunate he may be placed elsewhere.’

Gregory admitted drink-driving.

Magistrates also ordered Gregory to pay a fine of £850.

He must retake his test at the end of the two-year ban and pay £125 prosecution costs.