A motorist who was three-times the legal drink-drive limit when he was stopped by police has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Officers were called to the scene by a witness who saw John Christopher Bell’s car being driven ’all over the road’.

Bell, of Somerset Road, Douglas, was banned from driving for six years and handed a 13-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.

We previously reported how police received a report on September 21 at 3pm of Bell’s car being ’all over the road’ and hitting kerbs on several occasions in Glen Maye.

Bell, aged 63, was found and stopped by police, failing the roadside breathalyser test before being arrested.

He admitted failing a breathalyser test with a reading of 113 - the legal limit is 35.

A probation report said that Bell seemed ’in denial’.

However, defence advocate Ian Kermode said: ’It is accepted Mr Bell consumed alcohol on the day in question.

’He has confessed an alcohol problem and says he is consuming at least half a bottle of vodka a day.’

Mr Kermode went on to say that his client had issues regarding bereavement.

’Mr Bell’s driving was erratic but he didn’t crash the vehicle and nobody was injured luckily.

’He co-operated at the roadside and during the intoxiliser process.

’He is petrified of going to jail. He has described it as living a nightmare these last few weeks.’

Mrs Hughes said while passing sentence: ’The first step is to admit you’ve got a problem.

’The second is to take any help offered to you.

’There is no getting away from the fact this is an extremely high reading, three and a half times the drink-drive limit.

’The consequences are obviously going to be serious for you. Fortunately they weren’t for anyone who came into contact with you that day.’

Bell must retake his test at the end of his ban and attend a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

He was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.