DRIVING home after drinking at a friend's birthday party — in a car with a broken bumper that caught the eye of police — landed a man before Isle of Wight magistrates.

John Phillip Squire, 32, who gave his care of address as Mountbatten Drive, Ryde, admitted drink driving and driving without insurance when he appeared in court on Friday (November 9) morning.

The court heard police spotted his car on October 25 at Kite Hill, Wootton, because it had a broken rear light and the bumper was falling off.

He gave a roadside breath alcohol reading of 42. The legal limit is 35.

Defending, Keith Verrinder said: "He had been invited to a friend's birthday party.

"He was trying to be careful and not drink too much, and he did limit himself, but drank a little bit too much which put him over the limit."

Squire was banned from driving for 12 months.

He was ordered to pay an £80 fine, £85 in costs and a £30 surcharge.