Accused too drunk to instruct lawyer

A judge has told an Otago man who was too drunk to instruct his lawyer at a defended hearing yesterday to sort his life out.

Cromwell man William Leonard John Marshall, 23, was intoxicated when he arrived at Alexandra District Court at 10.20am to defend a charge of discharging a pellet rifle without reasonable cause and with reckless disregard for the safety of others.

Judge Paul Kellar said he was "absolutely furious" that Marshall had wasted the court's time, and warned he would be held in custody if he was drunk in court again, the Otago Daily Times reported.

"If you ever turn up in my court again you will be remanded in custody. Sort your life out."

Lawyer Nicole Murphy apologised for her client's drunkenness and entered guilty pleas to two unrelated charges.

Marshall was remanded on bail until May 6.

- NZPA