A BUILDER'S labourer caught drug driving in a Vauxhall Astra, was banned from driving.

Jimmy Parr, of Arthur Street, Ryde, admitted driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs, on January 5, when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

On the day in question, at 10.40pm, police on patrol on St John's Road, Ryde, saw Parr — someone flagged up to the police for a previous drugs offence — driving past them uphill in the opposite direction.

Officers followed Parr, who then took a sharp left onto Prince Street and was pulled over.

When questioned, Parr became "evasive" and was detained under 'stop and search' drugs legislation and was tested for drug use at the roadside — subsequently failing it — and was arrested, said Liz Miller, prosecuting.

A blood sample provided a cannabis reading of 2.2 ug/L. The legal limit is 2.

Parr, 28, was fined by magistrates in June for possessing drugs.

For Parr, Oscar Vincent said his client had been running an errand and was only stopped because he had been known to the police for the drugs possession offence, not for bad driving or carrying passengers.

In mitigation, Mr Vincent added Parr had not used cannabis for several days leading up to the offence.

Magistrates banned Parr from driving for a year, with a £150 fine and a £60 surcharge.