A DRINK driver denied crashing his car into a garden wall near his home in Ryde after he had driven his friend home in Ventnor on Christmas Eve, an Isle of Wight court was told.

Joshua Vaughan was banned from driving for a year after he admitted drink-driving in Castle Street, Ryde, on December 24 last year.

Police were called to a single vehicle collision with a wall, reported by a neighbour who heard the crash.

On the police's arrival, the driver had fled the scene with the car keys to the Audi, but left his yellow jacket in the footwell, explained Liz Miller, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Officers attended the address of the registered car owner, Vaughan, who said he had been out drinking that evening and had worn a yellow jacket — but denied driving.

Police said Vaughan's speech was slurred.

Vaughan, of Nelson Street, Ryde, gave police a breath reading of 50 microgrammes. The legal drink-drive limit is 35.

The 24-year-old, with no previous convictions, had been out in Ryde drinking with a friend that evening and had not driven or intended to drive, said his solicitor, Lee Peckham.

"He believed he was under the limit and decided to give his friend a lift home to Ventnor," explained Mr Peckham.

He returned home to Ryde and parked the car up outside his house then went indoors — claiming he was unaware of an accident and speculating the car must have rolled down the hill and into the wall.

"The first Vaughan knew about it was when police came knocking at this door," Mr Peckham added.

"He'd never been in trouble before and was like a rabbit caught in the headlights. He is very sorry for what he did."

As driving was part of his job, his disqualification meant he would lose his employment — " a consequence of his own actions," continued Mr Peckham.

Vaughan was ordered to pay a £346 fine, with £85 costs and a £35 victim surcharge.