An offender has admitted stealing a taxi while he was drunk.

Samuel William Gordon took the car while the cabbie was in a hotel collecting luggage but he was then found sitting in it on Douglas promenade.

The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to drink-driving, taking a vehicle without consent, having no driving licence, and having no insurance.

He will be sentenced on December 21 after a probation report has been completed.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that the taxi driver parked his Hyundai Tucson outside the Mannin Hotel on Broadway at 6.10am on October 23.

He went into the hotel to collect luggage but left the key in the car’s ignition.

When the driver looked out of the hotel window, he saw that his car had disappeared so he ran outside but couldn’t see it anywhere.

Police arrived and found the Tucson stopped near the Empress Hotel with Gordon sitting in the driver’s seat.

He was described as smelling of alcohol and slurring his words.

After being arrested and taken to police headquarters he failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 96. The legal limit is 35.

When interviewed, Gordon told police he had been drinking after work and had left a bar at 3.30am.

He claimed that he had no recollection of taking the car but didn’t dispute it.

The court heard that Gordon, who lives at Clarence Terrace, Douglas, has a previous conviction for being drunk and disorderly in December 2019.

Defence advocate Paul Glover asked for a probation report to be prepared before sentencing.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes accepted summary court jurisdiction for sentencing and ordered that the report consider all sentencing options, including custody.

Bail continues in the sum of £500 with conditions to reside at his home address, not to drive, to contact probation, and not enter licensed premises, or buy or be sold alcohol.