A PETTY officer in the Royal Navy ploughed his car into parked vehicles while more than three times the drink-drive limit, an Isle of Wight court was told. 

Craig Smith, who admitted drink-driving in Ryde on the evening of August 14, was banned from driving for 28 months.

A member of the public called the police at 11pm following Smith's collisions into parked cars in Welllington Road.

The informant said Smith, 36, was drunk and refused to get out of his Renault SUV, said Liz Miller, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court yesterday (Tuesday). 

"On the police's arrival, Smith was pointed out by witnesses as being the drunk driver," Miss Miller added.

At the accident scene, before Smith, of Dame Anthony's Close, Binstead, was arrested, he told officers: "It is simple. I drove to the shops and was a little drunk. I should not have driven."

Smith gave police a breath-alcohol reading of 119 microgrammes. The drink-drive limit is 35.

One of two cars damaged, a Ford Fiesta, was written-off.

In interview, Smith fully accepted his culpability. In a letter read to the court by his solicitor, Barry Arnett, Smith said: "I am truly sorry for my reckless and inexcusable decision to drive after consuming alcohol.

"I can't apologise enough to those who were innocently affected by my actions and I'm genuinely sorry for the stress and distress I've caused. There is no one more disgusted by my actions than me."

Smith also stated he failed to previously acknowledge he had issues with alcoholism and depression, but stated, through Mr Arnett, he was addressing them after seeking help through the Royal Navy.

Smith will also be dealt with by the Royal Navy, with punishments that could range from a fine to demotion and, at worst, a dishonourable discharge from the service.

"He's acknowledged he has an alcohol issue, but he is not an alcoholic. But, when he is on leave or has a day off and he starts to drink, he doesn't stop. He's almost like a binge drinker," said Mr Arnett.

"He should not have got in his car. There is no excuse and he will probably be demoted and fined.

"He has taken steps to address his issues, but on the flip side, the alcohol reading was high and he caused substantial damage to innocent people's cars, for which he can only apologise."

On top of his driving ban, Smith was also made subject to a year's probation, to include 140 hours of unpaid work, and he was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.