AN NHS kitchen porter who rolled his car into a field while almost twice the drink-drive limit, told police he was the passenger and that the driver had run off.

Ben Sebastian Gerrard, 19, admitted drink-driving, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, on The Racecourse, Whippingham, during the early hours of December 4.

Police on mobile patrol spotted Gerrard's upturned Fiat Punto in a field as they passed over the Racecourse Roundabout.

Officers found Gerrard standing by his vehicle and he said he was the passenger, not the driver of the crashed car, and that the driver had run off, said Ann Smout, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court, on Tuesday (21).

After he was taken to St Mary's Hospital, Newport, Gerrard did a breath test and blew 66 microgrammes. The legal limit is 35.

Gerrard, of Adelaide Grove, East Cowes, was the car's registered keeper, but did not have a licence authorising him to drive that day.

"Although he denied being the driver, he gave police no details of who the alleged driver was. He has now come to court and admits he was the driver of the car that day," said Mrs Smout.

The bench was told Gerrard appeared with no previous convictions to his name.

For Gerrard, Henry Farley said his client was very ashamed and that his parents were furious with him.

"He concedes he did a very stupid and dangerous thing. In the heat of the moment, he was not straight with the police," said Mr Farley.

Mr Farley said his client had enjoyed a night out in Ryde, having travelled there and back by bus, but on his return home he panicked when he realised he had left his bag, which contained his NHS identification, in Ryde.

"He works for the NHS and thought if anyone got hold of his ID, they could access any part of the hospital, which is a sackable offence," Mr Farley explained.

"It seemed to him the lesser of two evils to get into his car. It was a decision affected by alcohol."

Gerrard was banned from driving for 20 months and had his licence endorsed.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of £250, with £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.