AN UNEMPLOYED Isle of Wight man has lost work as a bricklayer and stonemason after he was caught drink-driving while more than twice the legal limit.

Philip Ryan was disqualified from driving for 19 months after he admitted drink-driving on Arctic Road, Cowes, during the early hours of November 11.

Ryan, of Whitepit Lane, Newport, roused a police patrol's suspicion by driving "very erratically" and without his lights on, said Liz Miller, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court, on Tuesday.

Police pulled him over and blew and alcohol reading of 71 microgrammes. The legal limit is 35.

For Ryan, Barry Arnett said his client blamed his erratic driving on his passenger giving conflicting directions to where he was going.

"He knows he shouldn't have been driving. He knows he did wrong and he is sorry," said Mr Arnett.

"The consequences are going to be dire. As a qualified bricklayer and stonemason, his inability to drive won't get him any work.

"He's been under a lot of stress lately and his inability to work has compounded that."

Ryan, 30, has no previous convictions or penalty points on his licence.

In addition to his driving ban, Ryan was fined £120, with £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.