Driver drank wine for breakfast

A Northland man's decision to drive after he had "two glasses of wine for breakfast" ended up with him being sentenced to 16 months' jail for his eighth drink-driving conviction.
Brian John McNamara, 52, was sentenced in the Whangarei District Court recently for his eighth charge of driving with excess breath alcohol and second for driving while disqualified.
The police summary of facts said McNamara was stopped in the forecourt of a Maungaturoto service station about 10.15am on July 6.
He exhibited signs of recent alcohol consumption and a test revealed a level of 917 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 400mcg.
In explanation McNamara told police he had had two glasses of wine for breakfast that morning as he finished off the bottle from the previous night. He was jailed for 16 months on the drink-driving charge and two months' jail for disqualified driving and disqualified from driving indefinitely. Northland has the highest rate of recidivist drink drivers in the country and the Northern Advocate is publishing its "name and shame" list of people convicted.
Also sentenced recently were:
Daniel Eramaiah Paikea, 37, sickness beneficiary, 579mcg, three months' home detention, disqualified from driving for one year and one day for fourth drink-driving conviction.
Galvin Joseph Brewer, 37, 522mcg, fined $1200, $130 court costs and disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Michael Paul Corkery, 53, 669mcg, 200 hours' community work, 12 months' supervision, disqualified from driving for 18 months for fourth drink-driving conviction.
Michelle Waimirirangi Nathan, 35, 447mcg, four months' community detention, disqualified from driving for one year.
Mark Anthony Jury, 37, civil engineer, 187 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, fined $1000, $130 court costs, $173 medical fee, disqualified from driving for six months.
Stephen Paul Wellbank, 506mcg, fined $500, $130 court costs, disqualified from driving for six months.
Bradley Johns, 18, 530mcg, fined $400, $130 court costs, disqualified from driving for three months.
Michael James Mathers, 20, 623mcg, fined $620, $130 court costs, disqualified from driving for six months.
Selina Fenella Neighbours, 52, 818mcg, fined $500, $130 court costs, disqualified from driving for six months.
Jason Graham Peck, 39, self employed, 659mcg, 120 hours' community work, disqualified from driving for a year and a day for third drink-driving conviction.
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.