A solicitor has been fined £800 and banned after crashing into a field off the Mountain Road while drink-driving.

John David Mair, 50, of Whittinghame Gardens, Glasgow, admitted the offence and was banned for a year with an order to retake his test at the end of the ban.

Prosecutor James Robinson told the court how, on August 14 at 11.20pm, a witness reported seeing Mair’s Mercedes on the A18 Snaefell Mountain Road driving from Douglas to Ramsey.

He was said to be swerving all over the road nearly hitting a wall at one point.

Mair then indicated at the Bungalow but didn’t turn and was said to be burning rubber sending up smoke as he took a ’racing line’, driving on the wrong side of the road.

The witness said the Mercedes then shot into a field and they saw Mair get out with blood on his forehead. He was then seen attempting to change a tyre.

When police arrived he was asked if he had been drinking and said he had consumed one glass of wine.

At police headquarters he failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 48 - the legal limit is 35.

He was given the option of a blood test, as is the law for readings under 50, but failed that as well with a reading of 97 - the legal limit is 80.

Defence advocate Paul Glover said that his client had held a full UK licence since 1986 with no previous convictions.

Mr Glover said: ’Mr Mair is a director of several companies. He is a qualified solicitor in Scotland. He has had to close his firm as he can no longer practice due to these proceedings.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told Mair: ’The Mountain Road is a dangerous road at the best of times, particularly at night time and particularly for someone who is intoxicated.’

Mair was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.