A Kaitaia man has been convicted of his fourth drink-driving offence after drinking two boxes of beer at his sister's birthday then getting behind the wheel.
Herbert Stanley MENNIS, 49, appeared in Kaitaia District Court for sentencing on a charge of driving with excess breath alcohol for a third or subsequent time, after he was stopped driving on Matthews Ave at 10.44pm on January 31.
Mennis was found to have a breath alcohol level of 986 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, more than twice the 400mcg limit.
The police summary of facts said he told officers that he had consumed two boxes of beer at his sister's place, while celebrating her birthday.
Mennis also told police he knew he was in trouble because he had been caught drink-driving before.
He was sentenced to six months' community detention, 12 months' supervision and disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day for his fourth drink-driving conviction.
Northland has some of the highest rates of drink-driving in the country, particularly repeat offenders, and the Northern Advocate is publishing its "name-and-shame" list of all people convicted of drink-driving offences in the region.
Also sentenced in Northland's courts recently were:
Shane Ernest YORKE, 41, invalid beneficiary, 633mcg, 200 hours' community work, disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day for third drink-driving conviction.
Dennis Reginald TAUTARI, 29, 1102mcg, 80 hours' community work, disqualified from driving for seven months.
Francis Murray MORRISON, 17, 249mcg, $200 fine, $132 court costs, disqualified from driving for three months.
Peter Te Paoro Hoori BARNES, 18, 534mcg, $500 fine, $132 costs, disqualified from driving for six months.
Liquor limits: Aged 20 and above: 400mcg of alcohol per litre of breath, 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Under 20: Young drivers with a blood alcohol limit of between 0.00 and 0.03 will receive an infringement fee of $200 and 50 demerit points.