A drink-driver from Douglas has been hit with a £1,700 fine and a three-year ban.
Samuel Hudson failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 93 after police stopped him while he was driving home from a house party.
Magistrates also ordered him to take an extended driving test at the end of the ban and complete a drink-driving rehabilitation course.
Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court that police received a report of a possible drink-driver on December 18 at 9.45pm in Onchan.
following
They located 39-year-old Hudson driving a black Toyota Yaris at Royal Avenue and, after following him, stopped him on Alberta Drive.
He was said to have been driving at a slow pace and veering towards the kerb.
When officers spoke to him he was described as slurring his words and smelling of alcohol.
After being arrested and taken to police headquarters, Hudson, who lives at Meadow Crescent in Douglas, produced the breathalyser reading of 93. The legal limit is 35.
The court heard that he has no previous convictions.
Defence advocate Matthew Wilshaw asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty plea, entered at the first opportunity, and handed in letters of reference.
’There was no reference to excess speed or any collisions,’ said the advocate.
’Mr Hudson is not a regular drinker.
’He tells me he had gone to a house party and been given drinks, house measures of vodka and lemonade.
’He intended to have some food at the party but hadn’t eaten.
’He went with his partner and they discussed walking home, but Mr Hudson felt unwell and has chosen to leave without his partner.
’He started to drive home but then had a moment of clarity and thought "what the hell am I doing?"
slowly
’He then tried to go back to the party but didn’t know the roads of Onchan that well so he was driving slowly.’
Mr Wilshaw said that Hudson was perhaps one of the most upstanding members of society that he had represented in court.
Magistrates also ordered Hudson to pay £125 prosecution costs which he will pay, along with the fine, at a rate of £200 per month.