A PLASTERER caught drug-driving was handed a year's ban and a hefty fine by an Isle of Wight court.

Joseph Gibbons admitted two charges of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug, namely cocaine and cannabis, above the specified limit, together with possession of cocaine, in Newport, on April 30.

Police stopped the 30-year-old's van along Trafalgar Road and conducted an on-the-spot drugs search.

The officer found a silver wrap of cocaine in his jacket pocket, with a roadside drugs test immediately following.

Gibbons, of Halberry Lane, Newport, gave readings above the legal drug-drive limit — 52 units of cocaine (the legal limit being 50) and 2.7 of cannabis (2.0).

For Gibbons, Henry Farley said his client drove competently and conscientiously, and co-operated fully with the police throughout.

"He is a careful driver. It was not unacceptable driving which led to him coming up before the court. He never put a foot wrong," said Mr Farley.

"He would never dream of drink-driving and drugs are not part of his lifestyle. He had not taken any substances on the day in question and has done much to turn his life around.

"However, he was going through a difficult period — his grandmother had been cremated two days earlier."

The dad-of-one was banned from driving for a year and fined £600, with £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Presiding magistrate, Faye Seabourne, told Gibbons the disqualification was the minimum the court could impose, because he had been just over the limit for both drugs and his efforts to turn his life around amid his "shocking" past record of convictions.

"You've been given an opportunity here. Take it," the magistrates told him.