An Isle of Wight drink driver who crashed his company’s Transit van and fled the scene – after driving to avoid a parking ticket – has been disqualified.

Shawn David Cooke, of Mayfield Drive, Newport, previously pleaded guilty to drink driving and failing to stop after a road accident.

The 47-year-old attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Friday, March 8.

Liz Miller, prosecuting, said police were called to reports of a collision on Sandown Road, between Lake and Shanklin, at 9.35pm on October 6 last year.

Ms Miller told the court Cooke had been driving a Ford Transit van, registered to WightFibre, and crashed into a Ford Focus Zetec, causing significant rear-end damage and shunting it 10-15ft into two other vehicles.

He fled the scene, but police later located the van in Lake Industrial Park, with Cooke found nearby, sitting on the grass in his work uniform, said Ms Miller.

An alcohol test confirmed Cooke had 91mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, making him more than two-and-a-half times over the limit.

Michael McGoldrick, defending, said the incident was “out-of-character” for the “hard-working family man.”

Mr McGoldrick told the court Cooke drove the van because he was worried it might receive a parking ticket where it was parked.

Cooke was handed a 12-month community order to include 140 hours of unpaid work, a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 23 months.