Two times over limit
Driving home from the pub while more than twice the legal alcohol limit has seen a Coopers Beach man disqualified from driving for six months. Terrence Yates, 50, surveyor, appeared in Kaitaia District Court on Tuesday, and pleaded guilty to driving with excess breath alcohol. Yates
left Taipa Tavern about 10pm on July 14 and was stopped by police. A breath test revealed he had a level of 502 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit for motorists aged 20 and over is 250mcg. Yates was fined $500, ordered to pay $130 court costs and disqualified for six months.
Warning for bach owners
Mid-North Police have issued a warning to bach owners to step up security and neighbours to keep their eye out after a spate of burglaries at beach settlements. Senior Sergeant Brian Swann said Kaeo Constable Richard Avery and Kaikohe officers were investigating bach break-ins in the Whangaroa to Matauri Bay area. Other areas hit recently include Omapere and Opononi. the nature of holiday homes means that owners often discover the burglary some time after it has happened. Police are investigating leads in a couple of burglaries in the Whangaroa coastal area.
Jewellert theft investigation ongoing