A 21-year-old man from Port Erin has been banned from driving for two-and-a-half-years after pleading guilty to drink driving.

Shane Fayle, of Marashen Crescent, has also been fined £1,200, plus £125 court costs, to be deducted at a rate of £10 from benefits.

Prosecutor Hazel Caroon said Fayle was spotted driving on Shore Road, Gansey, by police officers at 2.45am on Saturday March 28 in the direction of Port Erin.

Due to current restrictions on people in public places as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, officers followed him.

They observed his car swerving in the road so flashed their vehicle’s blue lights. However, Fayle only stopped when they sounded the vehicle’s siren.

Fayle was reported as smelling strongly of alcohol and slurring his words.

Ms Caroon said he had cooperated with officers both at the scene and at police headquarters. He produced a breathalyser result of 75mg, the legal limit is 35.

Defence Advocate Paul Rodgers said Fayle admitted what he had done was ’inadvisable’ and explained he had fallen asleep at a friend’s house following some drinks and drove home when he work up.

Mr Rodgers said his client is a scaffolder who drives for work.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told Fayle that ’people should not drink drive at any time, but particularly so now’ and added ’you should not have been on that road at that time’.

Mrs Hughes told him is behaviour was ’completely and utterly unacceptable’ at a time when emergency services are already so stretched.