A DRINK driver, who works for a gin company, has been banned from the roads for five years.

Duncan Barnes, 52, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court last Tuesday, where he admitted one count of drink driving.

When he was arrested, he had a breath alcohol reading of 155 — more than four times the legal limit of 35.

His solicitor said it was the highest reading he had ever seen.

The court heard Barnes was arrested after police were called to the Downs Road, near Brading, shortly before 10am on August 11.

He had pulled up at the side of the road as he drove to work — at which point a concerned passer-by reached into his open window and took the keys from the ignition, before walking away and calling the police.

Prosecutor Ann Smout said: "Police were called to an incident in which a member of the public had stopped him and taken his keys to prevent him from leaving.

"Police noticed Mr Barnes smelled very strongly of alcohol but he told them he hadn't been drinking."

The court heard Barnes, who works for Mermaid Gin, at the Isle of Wight Distillery, in Pondwell, had been promoting the drink at a stand during Cowes Week the previous day.

He had then returned home and continued to drink.

Barnes, of Coopers Close, Freshwater, was previously convicted of drink driving in 2009. He was given a suspended sentence.

Mrs Smout said Barnes' breath alcohol reading was extremely high.

"I would have thought a reading such as this would cause someone to be unconscious," she said.

Defending, Oscar Vincent said: "This too is the highest reading I have ever seen.

"But it is to his credit he has managed to stay out of trouble for ten years.

"When he drove to work he felt fine, but he began to feel unwell as he drove down the Downs Road so he decided to stop.

"He was entirely cooperative with police and he tells he doesn't have any issues with alcohol."

Magistrates sentenced Barnes to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and banned from driving for 60 months.

He was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £122.

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