A drink-driver who drove onto his neighbour’s doorstep knocking over a flower pot has been fined £900 and banned for two years.

Christopher Gelling, aged 51, of Maughold, admitted the offence, committed on Christmas Eve, and was also ordered to retake his test at the end of the ban.

Prosecuting advocate Rachael Braidwood told the court that Gelling was driving an Audi A2 from Ramsey to Maughold on December 24 at around 11.15pm.

When he reached Beach View Bungalows he drove onto the front doorstep of a neighbour’s house knocking over a plant pot.

The house owner came out and knocked on Gelling’s car window.

But Gelling then began driving up and down the driveway before telling the man: ’If there is any damage I’ll pay for it.’

Police arrived and he was said to be slurring his words and unsteady on his feet.

When quizzed by police he told them: ’I hit a step, yeah. I’m over the limit.’

After failing a roadside breathalyser test Gelling was taken to police headquarters where he failed a further test with a reading of 67. The legal limit is 35.

The court heard that Gelling’s last conviction was in 1998.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor asked for credit to be given for his guilty plea.

Mr Taylor said that Gelling had suffered a recent family bereavement which had caused him to be very depressed and had led to him drinking.

’It was a narrow road,’ said the advocate. ’There was a car blocking his access so he reversed and ran over a flower pot.’

Mr Taylor went on to say that Gelling may lose his employment as he worked early mornings and would struggle to get to work after the inevitable ban.

High Bailiff Jayne also ordered Gelling to pay £125 prosecution costs, which he will pay along with the fine at a rate of £80 per month.