Drinking speeder jailed for year

A Far North man has been jailed for a year after leading police on a high-speed chase while more than twice over the legal alcohol limit.
Tyrone James BRACKEN, 29, appeared in Kaikohe District Court on charges of driving with excess breath alcohol for a third or subsequent time, disqualified driving for a third or subsequent time, failing to stop for police and reckless driving.
He was seen by police about 7.25pm on December 17 driving at 65km/h in a 50km/h section of Recreation Rd, Kaikohe.
Bracken took off and reached speeds of up to 130km/h and crossed the centre line several times in a chase that covered 32km before he eventually stopped between Kaikohe and Moerewa.
A test revealed a level of 858 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, more than double the 400mcg adult limit. In explanation Bracken told police he had drunk 13 stubbies of beer and said he'd crossed to the incorrect side of the road while driving expecting police to stop chasing him.
He was jailed for 12 months for his sixth drink driving and ninth disqualified driving convictions, and disqualified from driving for 13 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:
Ricky Brett WALKER, 25, 791mcg, six months' community detention, 12 months' supervision, disqualified from driving for 15 months for fourth drink driving conviction.
Sunny Thomas WITEHIRA, 25, 627mcg, four months' community detention, disqualified from driving for 15 months for third drink driving conviction.
Ereru Mokoare Hone CASH, 19, tyre technician, 714mcg, 60 hours' community work, disqualified from driving for six months.
Ngawaru Dennis Vincent MUNROE, 22, unemployed, 693mcg, 80 hours' community work, disqualified from driving for six months.
Bobby-Jay MORUNGA-TEHUNA, 22, 496mcg, $400 fine, disqualified from driving for six months.
Tania Aroha BOYED, 18, 334mcg, 40 hours' community work, disqualified from driving for three months.
Geoffery Clark ANDERSON, 24, unemployed, 668mcg, $550 fine, $132 court costs, disqualified from driving for six months.
Murray Peraima SMITH, 21, 481mcg, 40 hours'; community work disqualified from driving for six months.
Peter WILDE, 21, 112 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, $500 fine, $132 court costs, 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.