A drink-driver has been put on probation for 18 months and banned from driving for five years.

David Mahon, of Station Park, Colby, failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 52 - the legal limit is 35.

This is the 48-year-old’s second conviction for drink-driving, the previous one being in the UK in May 2018.

We previously reported that police spoke to Mahon after he was stopped at Station Park on January 19 at 5.55pm.

They had received information that he had been drinking and he was said to be smelling of alcohol and have glazed eyes.

Mahon told police he had drunk four pints of lager at the Haven pub and he failed a subsequent roadside breathalyser test. At police headquarters he failed a further test with the reading of 52.

A probation report said that Mahon is Manx-born and employed by a local authority.

Foolish

It was said that his employer had been supportive and that he did not require his licence for the job.

Mahon told probation that he had parked his car at the Haven on the Friday night and left it there all weekend. He said he had then been taken to the pub by a relative on the Sunday and arranged to meet another relative inside.

Mahon said he had then made the ’foolish decision’ to consume four pints of lager before driving the car.

The probation report said he was being treated for anxiety, depression and mental health issues, and recommended probation as a suitable sentence.

Defence advocate Deborah Myerscough supported that recommendation, saying it would enable Mahon to continue receiving assistance.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes ordered Mahon to retake his test at the end of the ban and attend a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

He must also pay prosecution costs of £125.