AN ISLE of Wight man who was ‘peer pressured’ into taking cocaine and had a bad experience has been banned from the road for drug driving.

Joshua Begg, of Birch Gardens, Binstead, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Tuesday, November 21.

The 20-year-old admitted drug driving in Newport, on September 13 of this year.

Prosecutor, Ann Smout, said police on duty had been travelling in an unmarked vehicle on Fairlee Road on the day in question.

She said they stopped a vehicle being driven by Begg after its insurance was flagged, and he tested positive for cocaine.

He registered a reading of 433 for BZE – a derivative of cocaine – exceeding the specified limit of 50.

Nicolas Muir, defending, said Begg – a fully trained tree surgeon – had no previous convictions.

He said he had been socialising the night before, and peer pressure led him to consume cocaine.

Mr Muir said he tried it on an experimental basis, did not have a good experience, and it would be his last time.

He wrote a letter of apology to the court.

Begg was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £60.

He was ordered to pay costs of £40 and a £24 surcharge.