Drink driver who made 'stupid decision' banned from the road

Peel man disqualified for two years

A drink driver from Peel who ‘should never have been anywhere near the wheel of a car’ has been banned from the road for two years.

David James Roberts, of Stanley Road, was stopped by police in St Johns at 10pm last Friday (16 December).

Police who followed the 44-year-old, along the Douglas to Peel Road, noted him swerving and described his driving as ‘erratic’; as he came to a stop on Main Road he drove onto the pavement.

Roberts, who was unsteady on his feet and smelling of intoxicants, told officers he’d had four pints; he failed a roadside breath test and was arrested and taken to Police Headquarters.

Subsequent tests showed he was double the legal limit – at Douglas Courthouse this week he pleaded guilty to drink driving.

During sentencing his advocate told the court Roberts, who had no previous convictions, had felt he was under the limit and ‘capable of driving’ adding: “It was a stupid decision to say the very least.”

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes highlighted the annual police Christmas drink driving campaign telling Roberts every year, at this time of year, people appear before her who’ve given themselves ‘permission’ to drive.

“You were clearly aware you shouldn’t have been behind the wheel,” she added: “It clearly was an extremely stupid decision.”

Roberts has been fined £1,200, and ordered to pay £125 in prosecution costs, and will be disqualified from driving until he’s taken and passed an extended driving test.