A drink-driver who was more than twice the limit when he drove home from the casino has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for two years.

Christopher Edge, of Thornhill Close, in Port Erin, failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 73 - the legal limit is 35.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered him to retake his test at the end of the ban.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that police saw Edge driving a Mercedes on Kewaigue Hill in Braddan on February 22 at 2.20am.

He was said to be travelling at excess speed and they followed him before stopping him on Richmond Hill.

He was asked if he had been drinking and said he had consumed ’a few’ in the casino earlier.

Edge failed a roadside breathalyser test and was subsequently arrested and taken to police headquarters where he failed the further test with the reading of 73.

While being charged Edge said: ’I accept the charge and I also want to put on record the professionalism of the police force when dealing with this.’

The court heard that Edge has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate David Clegg said: ’He is extremely apologetic.

’He feels the police could not have treated him better and appreciates they were doing their job.

’He works in the online gaming industry and had been attending a poker tournament at the casino.

’He had a few drinks across the evening and said he didn’t feel impaired but accepts he was over the limit.’

Mr Clegg went on to say that while there was no suggestion his client was an alcoholic he had referred himself to Motiv8 to look at the way he consumed alcohol.

’He is re-evaluating his social life,’ said the advocate.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said that it was an aggravating factor that Edge was intending to drive a considerable distance from Douglas to Port Erin.

But she added that it was not often that people came before her who praised the police for their actions.

Edge was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs which he will pay along with the fine at a rate of £100 per month.