An offender has been put on probation and banned from driving for two years after admitting being drunk in charge of a car.

William Senior was found slumped in the driver’s seat of his vehicle on East Quay in Peel.

Magistrates sentenced him to a two-year probation order and also ordered him to take an extended driving test at the end of his ban.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court that police were called by a member of the public on November 14 at 5.05pm, who said that a man was asleep in his car on East Quay in Peel.

When officers arrived they found Senior’s car outside the Jade Harbour restaurant with him slumped in the driver seat. They knocked on the window to try and rouse him but were unable to get a response.

They then opened the door and shook the 44-year-old until he woke up.

Senior had his seat belt on and was said to be smelling of alcohol.

The keys were also found in the car and the lights were on.

He was described as slurring his words and having glazed eyes.

Senior admitted he had been drinking and cider was found in the car.

After being taken to police headquarters, he failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 106. The legal limit is 35.

During a police interview, Senior said that he had bought some cider from Shoprite and had then walked around Peel drinking it.

He said he had not driven but had got in his car after drinking, and slept, as he said he had left it parked there knowing that he could park in that location for a long period.

Senior said he must have put the seatbelt and lights on out of habit.

The court heard that Senior has a conviction for drink-driving in 2015 when he was banned from driving for 12 months.

Defence advocate Paul Glover asked the court to follow the recommendation of a probation report which suggested community service as an appropriate penalty.

Mr Glover referred to the report which had assessed Senior, who lives at Close Quane, Peel, as a low risk of reoffending.

The advocate asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty plea.

Magistrates chair Ken Faragher told Senior: ‘If you were here for drink-driving you would probably be looking at going to prison.’

Mr Faragher said that he hoped that probation would benefit Senior.

He was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs within 28 days.