AN uninsured Isle of Wight drink driver got behind the wheel of a car after his wife, the designated driver, suffered an anxiety attack, a court has heard.

Alexander Currie, of South Bank Road, East Cowes, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Tuesday, November 12.

The 40-year-old admitted drink driving, and using a motor vehicle without insurance, in Newport, on October 26.

Prosecutor, Lauren McConnell, said police stopped a Ford Fiesta on Fairlee Road in Newport at around 12.30am.

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She said they saw the vehicle fail to stop at set of road traffic lights and its driver, Currie, registered a breath-alcohol reading of 52 when the legal limit is 35.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said Currie had recently moved to the Isle of Wight from Norfolk and was not familiar with the layout of the roads.

He said his wife had been the designated driver, but she had an anxiety attack which stopped her from being able to drive.

Mr Vincent said Currie, who had drunk three pints, took the decision to get behind the wheel and drive from Newport to East Cowes.

The court heard how he felt perfectly okay to drive and recalled the light being green.

Currie was fined £160 and disqualified from driving for 36 months.

He was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £64 surcharge.