Drunk drivers: Jail for 11th conviction

A Whangarei man who was caught drink-driving reckoned he'd only had one beer that afternoon and it was the "big night" he'd had the previous evening that had put him over the limit for the 11th time.

Matenga Apiata SIMIONA, 40, has been jailed for 13 months after being sentenced in Whangarei District Court.

Simiona was stopped on Tauroa St, Whangarei, at 5.35pm on November 17 and, as he exhibited signs of recent alcohol consumption, was given a test, which showed a level of 518mcg of alcohol per litre of breath.

He told police he'd had only one beer a couple of hours before driving that day but had a "big night" the previous day.

Simiona was jailed for 13 months and banned from driving for two years for his 11th drink driving conviction.

Northland has some of the highest rates of drink-driving in the country, particularly repeat offenders, 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:Wati Tama BROWN, 39, caregiver, 692mcg, $1500 fine, disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day for third drink driving conviction.

Makareta Moeroa Whakapono Maree GREEN, 26, student, 716mcg, $500 fine, disqualified from driving for six months.

Francis Junior LUM, 21, 749mcg, 80 hours' community work, disqualified from driving for six months.

Mason Wayne HUTTON, 20, 580mcg, $500 fine, disqualified from driving for six months.

Michael BERRY, 69, retired, 753mcg, $750 fine, disqualified from driving for six months.

Peter Martin TUSTIAN, 56, 101mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, $600 fine, disqualified from driving for six months.

Raymond Leon ANDERSON, 60, 119mg, $550 fine, driving ban for six months.