WHILE police were investigating an incident in Newport, an officer saw an Isle of Wight builder crash his Ford Transit van into a road sign, then drive off, while almost three times the drink-drive limit.

Terry Dixon, of Church Path, East Cowes, admitted drink-driving and failing to stop after a road accident, at St John's Place, Newport, on July 12.

At around 7.30pm that day, Dixon was driving his van along South Street and attempted a left-hand turn into Orchard Street.

However, he failed to negotiate the junction, mounted the kerb and collided with a road sign — seen by a police officer, who was dealing with another incident at the time, said Lauren Stone, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

Dixon continued to drive along Orchard Street and into St James's Street, at which point the police ordered him to pull over, a short distance later in St John's Place.

When he got out of the vehicle, Dixon, 38, could hardly stand up and had to be helped to his feet by the officer, explained Miss Stone.

Dixon failed a roadside breath test and was subsequently arrested.

At Newport Police Station, Dixon gave a drink-drive breath reading of 102 microgrammes. The legal limit is 35.

Dixon had a driving ban in 2002 when he was 17, the bench was told.

"There was a high level of impairment and evidence of bad driving," added Miss Stone.

The dad-of-three, a builder, had finished working that day, was invited out for a few drinks with friends, "which he foolishly agreed to," said Oscar Vincent, his solicitor. 

"When it was time to go home, he had attempted to move the van to a safe location, before planning to get the bus to East Cowes.

"Unfortunately, he was spotted by a police officer, then was stopped later on his journey.

"He was very co-operative throughout the arrest process."

Magistrates ordered a report on Dixon, to cover all sentencing options, including custody, and handed him an interim driving ban.

Dixon was bailed to reappear for sentencing at the same venue on August 29.