A DRINK driver was caught after crashing his BMW into a curb in Shanklin.

James Downer, 26, of Wilton Road, Shanklin, admitted a charge of drink driving as he appeared at Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Police were called to Brook Road in Shanklin following reports of a road traffic incident at around 10.30pm on March 9, prosecutor Ann Smout told the court.

Officers found the defendant sitting in the driver's seat of the BMW and the air bags were deployed on the passenger side, Mrs Smout said.

Downer told the officers he had not been driving the car, he was just sitting in it having a cigarette, the court heard.

He was arrested and taken to the police station, where he provided an alcohol reading of 67 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath — almost twice the legal limit.

In police interview, Downer made full admissions and said that he had been the driver.

For Downer, Liz Miller told the court that this behaviour was out of character for Downer and that on the night in question he had had a row with his fiance.

"He knows he did the wrong thing," Ms Miller said.

Magistrates banned Downer from driving for 18 months and fined him £499.

Downer will also have to pay £85 court costs and a £49 surcharge.

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