A woman from Douglas has been banned from the road after making the ’stupid decision’ to get behind the wheel when drunk.

Police stopped 26-year-old Laura Doherty, of Ballaughton Manor Hill, on Circular Road in Douglas in the early hours of Sunday, August 6.

Officers were following up a report that she was drink driving - Doherty failed a roadside breath test and was arrested and taken to police headquarters.

Further tests there showed she had 57 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

At Douglas Courthouse on Tuesday an emotional Doherty pleaded guilty to the offence of driving with excess alcohol.

Her advocate, David Clegg, told the court she hadn’t drank since February due to serious problems with her health which had seen her hospitalised on more than one occasion.

Describing her as ’distressed’ he said. ’This is not somewhere she expected to find herself, or wants to find herself again; its been eye-opening.

’She realises she’s only got herself to blame. It was a stupid decision.’

Ordering Doherty to pay an £850 fine, and costs of £125, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told her: ’It’s a bit more than a foolish mistake and one you’re going to have to deal with for some time.’

She also disqualified Doherty from driving for two years and until she’s taken and passed an extended driving test.