A Dargaville woman who had her keys removed from her car by a person concerned about her driving had three of her grandchildren and a glass of beer in the vehicle with her, while almost three times the legal alcohol limit.
Winnie LEEF, 63, appeared in Dargaville District Court on charges of driving with excess breath alcohol and dangerous driving after driving in the town on October 20.
Police said that about 10.30am she was driving on State Highway 12 at Dargaville with three of her grandchildren, aged 6, 8 and 12.
Her vehicle was seen swerving all over the road, including crossing the centre line numerous times, taking corners on the wrong side, and forcing oncoming vehicles to swerve to avoid hitting her.
A concerned person rang the police *555 hotline and followed the vehicle until she stopped nearby. The person took the keys and police arrived. Leef exhibited signs of extreme intoxication and had a glass of beer in the car with her. A test showed a level of 1153 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.
In explanation, Leef said she had been drinking at a pub in Dargaville, but could not say when she had left after her last drink.
Leef was sentenced to 200 hours' community work, 12 months' supervision and disqualified from driving for nine months.
Northland has some of the highest rates of drink-driving in the country and the Northern Advocate is publishing its "name-and-shame" list of all people convicted of drink driving offences in the region.
Also sentenced recently were:
Taupua (Jack) Tekaru HEIHEI, 56, 664mcg, 300 hours' community work, disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day for fourth drink driving conviction.
Cameron KINGI, 37, glazier, 609mcg, $600 fine, disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day for third drink driving conviction.
Daniel Joseph KILMARTIN, 39, 472mcg, six months' community detention, nine months' supervision, disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day for third drink driving conviction.
George Te Aotea PUHARA, 22, 176 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, $750 fine, $132 court costs, disqualified from driving for six months.