A MINI Cooper driver who struck a bin lorry while almost three times the drink-drive limit, told an Isle of Wight court he had been stupid.

Lee Harvey Woodberry, of Rolf's Close, Bembridge, admitted drink driving on August 20, when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, September 3.

Refuse collectors that day reported to the police Woodberry, driving a Mini, struck the back of their lorry and drove off after he had been swerving in the road, said Lauren Stone, prosecuting.

Officers located Woodberry, who admitted the collision, in Bembridge, but had initially claimed he drank alcohol after it happened.

Following his arrest, Woodberry told officers he drank vodka the previous evening.

He provided the police with an alcohol breath sample of 102 when the legal limit is 35.

Unrepresented in court, the 51-year-old explained to the bench he had been in A&E at St Mary's Hospital the night before the incident, suffering with a neck injury.

He said he drove to the chemists the following morning to collect a prescription.

It was his second conviction for drink driving — the other occasion being in 2002.   

Woodberry said: "I realise now it was a very stupid thing to do."

Woodberry was bailed to reappear for sentencing on November 15 and made subject to an interim driving ban.