Drink driver more than 4 times over limit

A drink driver who was more than four times over the limit when he crashed into a road sign on Douglas Promenade has narrowly avoided being jailed.

35 year old Martin McDonald of Bemahague Avenue in Onchan appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas Courthouse.

He'd pleaded guilty to drink driving on Queen's Promenade on September 21.

Members of the public called police after watching McDonald crash his Mercedes - he was unsteady on his feet as he got out of the vehicle.

At police headquarters, breath-testing equipment showed a reading of 148 - the legal limit is 35.

Mrs Hughes jailed him for 12 weeks, suspended for two years, and fined him £2,000 as well as imposing a seven-year driving ban and ordering him to pay £125 in costs.