When a motorist contacted Whangarei police saying they suspected a car was being driven by somebody who had had too much to drink they were proved right, with a repeat offender later caught and convicted of his third drink driving offence.
Hatepa Te Maru WALTERS, 38, appeared for sentencing in the Whangarei District Court recently on a charge of driving with excess breath alcohol for a third or subsequent time.
The police summary of facts presented to the court said a member of the public contacted police on the evening of July 16, 2010, saying they thought the driver of a Toyota vehicle was drunk, because of their driving behaviour.
Police stopped the Toyota on State Highway One, in Whangarei, and gave the driver - Walters - a breath test, which showed a level of 712 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal adult limit is 400mcg.
In explanation, Walters told police he had been working in Orewa and had a few drinks before driving home.
He was sentenced to four months' community detention, 18 months' intensive supervision, disqualified from driving for 12 months and a day and given a final warning.
Northland has the highest rate of recidivist drink-drivers 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 in Northland's courts recently were:
Wayne TURNER, 55, 728mcg, four months' community detention, 100 hours' community work, six months' supervision, disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day and given final warning for third drink driving conviction.
Nikki-Dawn HARRIS, 23, 912mcg, 120 hours' community work, disqualified from driving for 10 months.
Gloria Mereaina GEORGE, 41, unemployed, 504mcg, $500 fine, $132 court costs, disqualified from driving for six months.
Jolien Anne Mathilde KUIKEN, 33, unemployed, 618mcg, $550 fine, disqualified from driving for six months.
Maryann Adelaide EDMONDS, 44, self-employed, 729mcg, $650 fine, disqualified from driving for six months.
Brendan WHITE, 24, 449mcg, $500 fine, disqualified from driving for seven months.
Faenza Nardia TANGIMETUA, 40, 524mcg, $450 fine, disqualified from driving for six months.
James Allan SMITH, 25, 735mcg, six months' supervision, disqualified from driving for six months.
Brian Anthony ANDERSON, 42, 106 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, $450 fine, $176 medical fees, disqualified from driving for six months.
Legal limits: Aged 20 and above: 400mcg of alcohol per litre of breath; 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
Under 20: 150mcg of alcohol per litre of breath; 30mg of alcohol per 100ml.
DRUNK DRIVERS: Helping hand for police
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