A man has been banned from driving after his car mounted the pavement in Ramsey, narrowly missing scaffolding.

Martin John Osborne, of Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey, was twice the legal drink-drive limit when he crashed his car in North Shore Road on Boxing Day.

Prosecutor Richard Butters told the court how a witness saw Osborne’s car almost hit scaffolding and then mount the pavement close to him, causing him to fear for his safety.

Osborne, aged 57, failed the breathaylser test at police headquarters with a reading of 73 - the legal limit is 35.

He told police he had been out drinking with friends and had gone for a meal. He walked home but when he realised he had left his phone at the restaurant had driven back to get it.

Poor driving

He said he had consumed a whisky when he had got home after driving but an expert’s report concluded the breathalyser reading would not have been lower than 66.

Defence advocate James Peterson said his client did not wish to enter a basis of plea disputing the reading and would be sentenced on the basis of the 73 reading.

Mr Peterson said: ’He accepts there was poor driving. His foot caught between the accelorator and brake causing him to momentarily lose control.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told Osborne: ’You were two times the limit and your driving involved mounting a pavement a couple of times.

’The reason has been explained but I suspect the level of intoxication had something to do with it as well.

’You could easily have walked back to the restaurant.’

Osborne was banned from driving for 30 months and fined £1,200. And he must retake his test at the end of the ban. He must also pay £125 prosecution costs.