A driver high on ketamine was found slumped over his steering wheel with white powder under his nose after smashing into a lamppost and hurtling over a roundabout.

Robert Gambell crashed his Volkswagen Touran on the Old Thanet Way at Chestfield, near Whitstable, sparking a huge emergency response.

When fire crews and an air ambulance arrived at the scene, the 40-year-old was found with dilated pupils and white powder traces on his face.

He was taken to hospital, where a blood test revealed he had ketamine in his system and was five times over the legal limit.

Gambell, whose address was given in court as Norman Road, Faversham, was charged with drug-driving, which he admitted when he appeared at Maidstone Magistrates' Court on February 21.

The court heard Gambell caused considerable damage to street furniture during the smash on October 13.

Magistrates were told that when tested, Gambell had 101 micrograms of ketamine in his blood, when the legal limit is 20.

Emily Wiles, prosecuting, said: "He crashed into a lamppost and was found slumped over the wheel.

"There was significant damage to the front of his vehicle as he had gone straight over the roundabout which had trees in the centre and dragged a road sign 10ft along the road.

"His pupils were dilated, he had white powder under his nose and it was (later) found he had ketamine in his blood.

"He had no previous convictions and made no comment in interview. It was unacceptable driving."

The bench was also told Gambell did tell hospital staff what he had done and was remorseful, but that he had a history of drug abuse after suffering some trauma in his life, including the death of a former girlfriend and his sister.

Magistrates also heard no one else was injured in the incident, he was ashamed and embarrassed by what had happened and had since managed to address his issues though therapy as the crash had been a wake-up call for him.

Chairman of the bench Jean Sanderson said: "There was significant impairment in your driving and you were lucky you were not killed or killed any other road users.

"We hope you stay fully engaged [with therapy] and I can see from your demeanour you are very sorry. We hope this is the first and last time we see you."

Gambell was banned from the road for 18 months, fined £307 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £123 and £85 costs.