An Isle of Wight man disputes that a police patrol caught him drug driving, claiming he was instead targeted by six emergency vehicles which were waiting to ambush him.

Mitchell Phelps, 27, of Brook Close, Ryde, attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, July 9, and pleaded guilty to drug driving.

Liz Miller, prosecuting, said officers were on patrol on Slade Road in Ryde at 1pm on January 10, when they spotted a female passenger in an Audi A1 that matched the description of someone police were looking for.

Ms Miller told the court that police stopped the vehicle on Cross Street and realised the woman was not who they were looking for. However, they were suspicious of the driver, Phelps, who looked nervous and very pale.

Phelps told police he had smoked cannabis the night before, and a positive roadside drug test confirmed he was over the limit, the court heard.

A further blood test found Phelps had 2.4mg/l of cannabis when the legal limit is 2.

Nick Muir, defending, said his client had ADHD and used cannabis to alleviate stress.

Mr Muir told the court Phelps was taking his car to the garage for an MOT when police stopped the vehicle due to 'mistaken identity', not because of concerns about his driving.

Phelps told magistrates there were six parked police cars waiting for him, disputing that it was a regular patrol, claiming he was targeted by officers.

Magistrates banned Phelps from driving for 12 months and handed him a £120 fine.

He must also pay £85 in costs and a £60 surcharge.