A LIFEGUARD who thought he was fit to drive after drinking with friends, was caught drink-driving by police on patrol. 

Bertram Bristow, of The Diggings, St Helens, admitted drink driving on December 10.

Officers on patrol in West Hill Road, Ryde, at around 2am, were drawn to the attention of a Mazda car being driven at excessive speed in the town and followed him.

Bristow, 23, was eventually stopped with officers noticing he was 'impaired', said Ann Smout, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court, on Tuesday (3).

He was arrested after failing a roadside breathalyser test.

At Newport Police Station, Bristow — with no previous convictions — blew an alcohol reading of 56 microgrammes. The legal drink-drive limit is 35.

For Bristow, Oscar Vincent said his client had been out drinking with friends and that the evening had passed without incident.

"He intended to drive straight home — and felt fine to drive. As he drove, he realised he did not feel OK to drive and pulled over," Mr Vincent said.

"He turned off the engine and, as he was exiting the car, a police officer was there.

"He has not gone out since the incident and has no issues with alcohol."

Since the drink-drive, Bristow has made an appointment with the Island's drug and alcohol services.

Magistrates disqualified Bristow from driving for 15 months and fined him £366, with £85 costs and a £146 surcharge.