Douglas man banned from the road after drink driving

57-year-old “significantly over the limit” after leaving hospital on moped

A 57-year-old man from Douglas has been banned from the road for two years after pleading guilty to drink driving.

Simon Alder, of Close Quirk, admitted the offence, which took place on 16 April.

The court heard that at 1.50pm that day Alder left Noble’s Hospital on a blue Yamaha moped and was reported as being likely to be driving under the influence.

Officers followed him and requested a roadside breath test; during it Alder is reported to have said: “I’m going to fail this.”

He failed and was arrested.

At Police Headquarters a further breath test produced a reading of 73 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - more than double the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

The court was told Alder had been experiencing significant stress and had turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

His advocate described him as remorseful and tearful adding he had referred himself to addiction charity Motiv8.

Sentencing Alder Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood told him: “You were significantly over the limit and while there weren’t any incidents there could have been. You are fortunate.”

Alder was fined £1,400 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £125.