An Onchan pensioner has been fined £1,400 and banned from driving for two years after being caught drink-driving.

Samuel Joseph Boyd was driving home from a Christmas meal at the Creg-ny-Baa pub when police stopped him on December 22.

The 77-year-old failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 57 and pleaded guilty to drink-driving. The legal limit is 35.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court that police were driving on the Mountain Road at 2.30pm on December 22 when they saw Boyd heading towards Douglas in a blue Suzuki Jimny.

He was said to be causing traffic to brake sharply and was subsequently stopped by police at Hillberry Road.

Boyd, who lives at Mount View Road, told police he had been at the Creg-ny-Baa for a Christmas meal.

When asked if he had been drinking, he replied: ’One large beer.’

After failing a roadside breathalyser test he was arrested and taken to police headquarters where he failed a further test with the reading of 57.

The court heard that he has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate David Reynolds asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty plea and the fact that he had no previous convictions at the age of 77.

The advocate said: ’Mr Boyd tells me he had been with his wife for a meal at the Creg-ny-Baa and was starting to drive home.

’He says he felt intimidated by the speed of some of the other traffic so he was driving slower than normal.

’He had drunk a large beer, over a pint of lager. He says he felt fit to drive otherwise he would not have driven.’

Mr Reynolds went on to say that his client was retired and had his wife in court to support him.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered Boyd to take an extended test at the end of his ban and complete a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

The High Bailiff told the pensioner: ’You certainly must have had a very strong lager to produce a reading of 57.

’Given the time of year and the police drink-driving campaign which spells out the message loud and clear, it amazes me that somebody of your age and previous good character still chooses to drink and drive.’

He must also pay £125 prosecution costs which he will pay, along with the fine, at a rate of £30 per week.