A VAN driver will not be allowed behind the wheel for the next 16 months after police saw him "swerving considerably" while under the influence of cocaine, an Isle of Wight court was told.

William Patterson, of Ashley Road, Poole, admitted drug-driving in Ryde on April 19.

At 6.35pm that day, police on patrol in Marlborough Road saw Patterson "swerving considerably" across the road in his car, said Lauren Stone, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

Although the dad-of-two was tested negative for alcohol, a roadside drug swab tested him positive for cocaine and he was subsequently arrested.

Miss Stone told the bench: "He displayed an unacceptable standard of driving."

At Newport Police Station, Patterson's blood test revealed a reading of 53ug/L in his blood. The legal limit is 50.

The 34-year-old's criminal record included a drink-drive in 2009.

For Patterson, Amy Hosell said her client, a van driver, did not accept he had been "swerving considerably", but accepted he had taken cocaine four days before he was arrested.

Magistrates banned Patterson from driving for 16 months and hit his pocket hard — fining him £666, with a surcharge of £266 and £85 costs.