A drink-driver who crashed into a wall and then drove away has been banned from driving for three years and put on probation.

Andrew Joseph Gray then ran from police after they found his car but was apprehended.

In court he pleaded guilty to drink-driving and careless driving.

Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks sentenced the 52-year-old to 12 months’ probation and also ordered him to take an extended driving test at the end of his ban.

As we have previously reported, police were called after an accident occurred at Leigh Terrace on the Old Castletown Road in Douglas on December 4 at 12.32am.

damage

When they arrived they were told that the vehicle, a Mitsubishi L200, had damaged a wall and left the scene.

Lots of debris was found, including what appeared to be part of the vehicle’s roof, and the damaged Mitsubishi was located at the bottom of Kewaigue Dip shortly afterwards. As officers approached it, they saw Gray, who lives at Ellenbrook Drive, standing nearby in the shadows, but when he saw them he made off.

He was chased and detained at the top of the footpath, and was described as unsteady on his feet and smelling of alcohol.

After being arrested and taken to police headquarters Gray took a breathalyser test and blew a reading of 72. The legal limit is 35.

During a police interview Gray told police he had been at a party at the Palace Hotel.

He said he had drunk a couple of pints and at least three glasses of wine.

Gray said he had intended to get a taxi home but the last thing he could remember was food arriving at around 10.30pm, and he could not remember getting in his car.

He told police: ’Yes I was driving. The whole thing’s a blur.’

A probation report said that Gray had been struggling with his mental health and family issues.

Defence advocate Jim Travers asked the court to follow the sentencing recommendation of the probation report, for a probation order.

Mr Travers asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty pleas.

issues

’Personal difficulties and mental health issues led to the commission of the offences when, quite frankly, Mr Gray wasn’t himself,’ said the advocate.

’There has been no offending in the past 26 years and he has been a family man in constant employment over that time.

’He gave a full and frank admission in the police interview, though there was some evasion at the scene.

’Mr Gray maintains that he did not set out to drive from the work event but rather this was a spontaneous decision.

’He has made efforts to contact the owner of the wall to compensate them but to no avail.’

Deputy High Bailiff Mr Brooks also ordered Gray to pay £125 prosecution costs within 28 days.