Community service for drink-driver who was almost four times over the limit

Witnesses reported Baker drove erratically and mounted the pavement

A Douglas man who drove his car while almost four times over the drink-drive limit has been banned from the road for five years and ordered to complete community service.

Barry Baker of Murrays Road admitted driving with excess alcohol after police received a series of 999 calls about his driving in the early hours of 16 March.

Callers told police they'd seen a Honda Jazz driving erratically on Peel Road and mounting the pavement, as well as crashing on Woodbourne Road.

Officers located the vehicle emerging from Hawarden Avenue, noting it had sustained damage, and that Baker - the sole occupant -  was struggling to walk, stand and speak.

At Police Headquarters, the 38-year-old provided a breath sample with a reading of 136 - the legal limit is 35.

His advocate told Magistrates Baker had been due to stay at a friend's home on the night in question, but decided to drive after having a row with the friend.

Magistrates sentenced him to 80 hours of community service, and ordered that he complete a drink rehabilitation course and after his five-year driving ban complete an extended driving test.

He'll also have to pay prosecution costs of £125.