Douglas man who crashed into parked car was three times over drink-drive limit

Pretorius warned custodial sentence a 'very real' consideration

A Douglas man who crashed his car into a parked vehicle was more than three times over the drink-drive limit.

Ruben Pretorius of Grosvenor Road pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol following an incident last month.

Police were called out just before 11pm on 5 May after Pretorius was seen to collide with a stationary vehicle, leaving his Vauxhall Astra on the wrong side of the road.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found the 34-year-old looking confused with a cut to his cheek and smelling of intoxicants.

He refused to take a roadside breath test, telling officers "I can't pass", before providing a sample at Police Headquarters with a reading of 109 - the legal limit is 35.

Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood adjourned matters for a social enquiry report to be compiled ahead of sentencing on 17 July, but warned Pretorius that the high reading and collision means a prison sentence is a very real consideration.