AN ISLE of Wight man who scaled a cemetery wall to try to escape police was caught in possession of ketamine.

Martin D’Arcy, of Broadway Crescent, Ryde, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Friday, April 26.

The 54-year-old admitted possession of ketamine, in Newport, on February 18.

Prosecutor, Lauren Stone, said police were on patrol, and shortly before 8.40pm were alerted to two individuals in Newport Quay car park.

They believed a drug deal to be taking place between D’Arcy and another individual on a moped.

The court heard the moped left the scene and D’Arcy was seen climbing over a cemetery wall.

Ms Stone said officers gave chase and D’Arcy was detained.

He confessed to officers he had speed in his possession, and a small bag containing ketamine was found in his jacket pocket.

The court heard he had eight previous convictions for 18 offences, and his last drug-related conviction was last April.

Michael McGoldrick, defending, said domestic difficulties led to a downturn in D'Arcy’s life.

He said he did not purchase drugs on the night in question and went into the car park to smoke a spliff.  

D’Arcy, already subject of two community orders and a suspended sentence, was handed a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £26 surcharge.