A Castletown man who refused to take a breathalyser test has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for five years.

Stephen Michael Creer, of Malew Street, pleaded guilty to the offence and was also ordered by magistrates to retake his test at the end of the ban and complete a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that police saw Creer, who is 22, driving a Vauxhall Astra at speed on the Castletown Road in Port Erin on March 12 at 11.35pm.

He was stopped by them near Ballamaddrell Estate and described as slurring his words and smelling of alcohol.

Creer failed a roadside breathalyser test and was subsequently arrested and taken to police headquarters.

However, once there, when asked to take a further test he refused numerous times.

Defence advocate Deborah Myerscough asked magistrates to consider a probation report if they were not willing to deal with the offence by way of a fine.

Ms Myerscough said that her client had mental health issues.

Magistrates ruled that a fine would be the most appropriate penalty and also ordered Creer to pay £125 prosecution costs.

He will pay at a rate of £10 per week deducted from benefits.