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Drink-driver drove down Richmond Hill on three tyres

Port St Mary man jailed for motoring offences and possessing cocaine

A Port St Mary man’s been jailed after police caught him behind the wheel whilst over the limit and in defiance of a driving ban.

 

Twenty-nine-year-old John Charles Walster of Endfield Avenue appeared before Deputy High Bailiff Christopher Arrowsmith at Douglas courthouse.

 

He pleaded guilty to charges of possessing cocaine, having no insurance, driving while disqualified, and drink-driving.

 

Prosecution advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the hearing police spotted Walster’s silver Ford Fiesta on 1 December as he drove down Richmond Hill in Douglas.

 

The hearing was told Walster’s car had only three tyres and officers could see sparks flying up from a bare rim – they stopped him and a computer check showed he’d never retaken his test since being banned from the roads in 2010.

 

He was arrested and taken to Police Headquarters, where specialist testing equipment showed he was almost three times over the limit and a search found he had 0.1 grammes of cocaine worth £10.

 

His advocate said Walster was a fisherman who risked losing his job if jailed, adding he was a prime candidate for community service.

 

However, Mr Arrowsmith said only a jail term was appropriate, and sent him to prison for 10 weeks.

 

Walster was also banned from driving for six years and has to pass an extended driving test before he can get behind the wheel again.

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