A cyclist found lying on the pavement by police was so drunk he could not stand unaided, let alone ride a bicycle.
Douglas magistrates were told Peter Juan Higgins, of Patrick Road, St John’s, was discovered by police at about 7.30pm lying on the pavement near Glenfaba Road in Peel.
Barry Swain, for the prosecution, said the 48-year-old was lying entangled with his bicycle on the pavement by an unlit stretch of road. He was bleeding profusely from a cut near his eye and was taken to hospital.
‘He had no lights or reflectors, was wearing dark clothing and was not wearing a cycling helmet,’ Mr Swain told the court.
He said the defendant smelled of drink, was slurring his words and could not stand without help.
Staff at Noble’s Hospital decided to admit him for the night and he was spoken to by police the following day.
Just over two weeks later, on March 25, this time at just before 2pm, Higgins again came to the attention of police after a caller reported a drunk man staggering along the road near Crosby.
After a search, police found Higgins lying on his back on a footpath at Marown. He had grazed his face and was again unable to stand up without help. Once more, he was taken to Noble’s Hospital and was admitted.
He told police: ‘I’ve no excuse really, I’m struggling with the demon drink.’
Higgins admitted cycling while unfit on March 9 and being drunk and incapable on March 25.
His advocate Stephen Wood said: ‘Intoxicated people sometimes swear and are a burden to the police but that is not the case here: he was calm and co-operative.
‘The concern was really for his safety and well-being, that he might ‘‘come a cropper’’, as it were.
‘As a result of this he is seeking assistance and he has visited his GP. He does appreciate this is something that he needs to address before it becomes a bigger problem.’
Mr Wood said his client had a job interview pending and if he were employed this would no doubt make a huge difference to him.
Magistrates’ chairman Julian Ashcroft told Higgins he accepted a fine was probably the most appropriate way of dealing with the offences.
He was fined £75 for each offence and must pay £50 costs.