POLICE found an electrician slumped at the wheel of his car at a cash and carry while more than four times the legal drink-drive limit.

Wayne Anthony Clift, of no fixed address, admitted being in charge of a vehicle while over the drink-drive limit and causing criminal damage to a police car, on May 7.

At 2.15pm, police were called to a suspected drunk in charge of a vehicle situation at the Booker cash and carry on Avenue Road, Sandown, and found Clift in his car, slumped to one side at the wheel, in the car park, said Ann Smout, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Officers said Clift's speech was slurred and he smelt strongly of alcohol.

It was initially thought Clift had had a stroke and he was taken to St Mary's Hospital, Newport, but he was later discharged as fit to be interviewed at Newport Police Station, the bench was told.

On the way there, the former Shanklin man, 60, urinated in the police car.

At the station, Clift gave police an alcohol breath reading of 142 microgrammes. The legal drink-drive limit is 35.

In May, 2019, Clift was convicted of drink-driving and was subsequently disqualified from diving for 17 months.

A report was prepared for magistrates on Clift.

"A large contract came a premature end, for which he was not paid, together with his struggles with life in general, led to him sitting in the car and consuming too much alcohol," said James Cameron, for Clift.

"He phoned his wife to collect him, took his keys out of the ignition and dropped them on the floor of his vehicle — not having an intention to drive, though he accepts he had a very high drink-driving reading."

Magistrates handed Clift a 12-month driving ban and made him subject to an 18-month probation order, to include him doing 260 hours' unpaid community work.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.