A PENSIONER caught drink driving after visiting his wife at a care home has been banned from the road. 

Dennis Sinfield, of Alverstone Garden Village, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Tuesday. 

The 73-year-old admitted drink driving in Sandown, on April 27.

Prosecutor, Rhys Evans, told the court between 12.45pm and 1pm, Sinfield had been visiting his wife at a care home on Broadway. 

He said staff had suspected him of drinking from a hip flask and smelling of liquor.

Officers witnessed him pull out of the care home car park and drive off, and he was soon pulled over and breathalysed. 

He registered a breath-alcohol reading of 47, when the legal limit is 35. 

The court heart Sinfield had no previous convictions, cautions or warnings, and concerns had been raised by social services about his ability to look after himself after moving his wife into a care home. 

Mr Evans said he appeared to be under an immense amount of strain, both financially, and in coping with his new circumstances. 

Henry Farley, defending, said Sinfield had held a clean driving licence since 1967 and if he thought he had been over the limit, he would not have driven. 

He said Sinfield was visiting his wife of 39 years and shared an alcoholic drink with her. 

Mr Farley said Sinfield was ashamed to find himself in court for the first time just before his 74th birthday.

The court heard Sinfield was lost without his wife and was struggling financially to pay for her care. 

Sinfield was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £50. 

He was ordered to pay a £34 surcharge and court costs were waived.