SHAMED drink-drive Isle of Wight councillor Phil Jordan was veering all over the road before he was stopped by police, a court heard today (Tuesday).


Island magistrates were told that Jordan, 67, of Carpenters Road, St Helens, was spotted by police almost swerving into hedges before over-correcting.

When police stopped him at 11.45pm on October 11 he smelled strongly of alcohol, his speech was slurred and his eyes glazed, said Ann Smout, prosecuting.

His silver Range Rover with its personalised number plate was in Whippingham Road being driven towards East Cowes when he was pulled over.

When police asked him if there was any reason why he could not take a roadside breath-test Jordan replied: "Probably."

He complained of being short of breath although police saw no evidence of that, said Mrs Smout.

He was arrested for failing to provide a breath specimen after he appeared "not to be trying very hard&a mp;quot; to complete the procedure on three occasions, she said.

At the police station two attempts to provide specimens also failed and a blood test was taken. That revealed an alcohol level of 168 milligrammes — more than twice the legal limit of 80.

But his solicitor Lee Peckham said there was no deliberate attempt to avoid providing breath specimens — his client was in genuine difficulty.

He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, had made a public apology for his error of judgment that would "forever blacken his name" and he had stepped down from his role on the Isle of Wight Council executive.

"He is ashamed and sorry," said Mr Peckham.

Sentencing Jordan, presiding magistrate Janice Routledge told him the offence was aggravated by the fact that his driving was poor and he had a passenger.

But he had a clean licence and no previous offences, cautions or warnings.

Jordan was fined £255 on a declared income of £1,100 a month, told to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

He was banned for 20 months which he can reduce by a quarter by taking the drink-drive rehabilitation course.

After the case Cllr Jordan, who stood down from the executive where he had responsibility for public protection, public health and the highways PFI, said he remained staunchly against drink-driving and had only done so through "miscalculation."

"I am currently considering my future on the Isle of Wight Council — whether to stand down or remain as a councillor," he said.

"I am just so sorry for everyone who has been affected by this."