AFTER his car was seized by police, a man was given a lift by officers who then noticed his breath smelt of alcohol, Isle of Wight magistrates were told.

Daniel Guy, 40, of Quarry View, Newport, admitted one charge of drink driving when he appeared before the bench on Tuesday.

The court heard Guy was spotted driving a Ford Mondeo along Medina Way, Newport, on December 27 at around 4.45am.

The officer believed Guy was speeding.

The car was seized for a completely unrelated matter and Guy was given a lift but the officer noticed he smelt of drink.

He blew a reading of 42 mgs of alcohol in 100 mils of breath — the legal limit is 35.

Speaking in his own defence, Guy said a friend had put vodka in his beer that evening and he had been surprised to find he was over the legal limit.

He told magistrates his friend had been willing to give evidence, but Guy had ruled out contesting the matter with a 'special reasons' hearing as he was worried about the cost.

He was disqualified from driving for a year and fined £215, as well as being told to pay a £30 surcharge.