Drink drivers before the courts

Drink drive checkpoint

A Dargaville man caught drink driving twice on the same road in just over an hour has been given community work and banned from driving for nine months.

Patrick Clement TANE, 28, appeared in Dargaville District Court recently for sentencing on two charges of driving with excess breath alcohol.

The police summary of facts presented to the court said Tane was stopped while driving in Jervois St, Dargaville, at 12.07am on February 12.

A test showed he had a level of 718 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

In explanation, Tane told police he had wanted to drop his car at home so work equipment inside would not get stolen.

He was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol, banned from driving for 28 days and released. However, at 1.16am police stopped a Subaru on Jervois St and found Tane driving. He was given another breath test and recorded 632mcg.

This time Tane told police he was driving to a friend’s house to tell him he wouldn’t be at work that morning. He was sentenced to 120 hours’ community work and disqualified from driving for nine months.

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:

Fern Teresa Kotuku WILLIAMS, 47, 909mcg, 250 hours’ community work, 12 months’ supervision, disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day for fourth drink driving conviction.

 Diane Maree SHARPE, 47, 457mcg, 300 hours’ community work, 12 months’ supervision, disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day for third drink driving conviction.

 Joshua Lou POTO, 23, manager, 575mcg, $570 fine, $132 court costs, disqualified from driving for six months. Violet Aroha Katarina TITO, 33, 479mcg, $400 fine, $132 court costs, disqualified from driving for six months.

Aimee Maude COOPER-ROGERS, 17, 400mcg, $350 fine, $132 court costs, disqualified from driving for three months.

Arlo Timothy MCLAUGHLIN, 20, 305mcg, $350 fine, $132 court costs, disqualified from driving for three months.

Reuben Elijah GLASGOW-GRAY, 18, 323mcg, 100 hours’ community work, disqualified from driving for five months.

 Rene Joni DAVIS, 27, 741mcg, $700 fine, $132 court costs, disqualified from driving for six months.

 Brent Steven SUCKLING, 34, 552mcg, 175 hours’ community work, disqualified from driving for 12 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.