An accounts assistant who drove home after drinking seven pints has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for two years.

Geoffrey Andrew Callister, of Fairway Close, Port Erin, drove from the Haven pub in the village but was reported to police and arrested at his home.

The 58-year-old failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 58. The legal limit is 35.

Prosecuting advocate James Robinson told the court how police received the tip-off that Callister had left the Haven on January 5 at 8.45pm.

Officers went to his home and found that the exhaust of his Suzuki Swift, which was parked outside, was still warm.

When they spoke to Callister he was described as being unsteady on his feet, slurring his words, and smelling of alcohol.

He failed a breathalyser test at his home and was subsequently arrested and taken to police headquarters where he failed the further test with the 58 reading.

When interviewed he admitted that he had been drinking before driving home.

The court heard that he has a previous conviction for drink-driving but that was in 1995.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode said: ’Mr Callister was drinking at the Haven from about 4pm. He had about seven pints of bitter. He would say he went to his car to collect an item for his wife but at that point he made the inexplicable decision to drive the very short distance home.

’He could easily have walked. Clearly his judgement was impaired through intoxication.

’He didn’t go to the vehicle intending to drive. He describes it as a very stupid mistake.’

Mr Kermode went on to say that Callister had co-operated with police during the intoxiliser procedure.

’His attitude is one of embarrassment,’ said the advocate. ’He says he feels mortified and distraught. He has upset his wife and asked me to convey to the court how distraught he feels by his stupid mistake.’

Magistrates also ordered Callister to retake his test at the end of the ban and pay £125 prosecution costs, which he will pay along with the fine at a rate of £100 per month.