Drink-driving actor convicted

<i>Outrageous Fortune</i> star Tammy Davis on his way to court. Photo / Greg Bowker

Actor Tammy Davis, who plays Munter in the hit television show Outrageous Fortune, thought he could evade a police alcohol breath test by mentioning the name of a police officer he played football with.

The actor was convicted yesterday of drink-driving after a defended hearing at the Auckland District Court. He was fined $1600 and ordered to pay court costs of $130. He was also forbidden from driving for one year and one day.

His reading of 798 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath was almost twice the legal limit. It was his second drink-driving offence, having refused a blood test in Wellington in October 2006, which is considered a drink-driving offence.

Davis was stopped at the Newton Rd on-ramp on March 17 and given a breath test.

Sergeant Adrian Kerin said when he asked him to pull over, Davis said it probably wouldn't be necessary because he knew a police officer, who told him to use his name and not only would he be allowed to leave but that Mr Kerin would be able to drop him off at his house.

Mr Kerin told him that wasn't what was going to happen.

"He again stated it was okay and mentioned he played football with police officers. I said no, we'll carry on."

Mr Kerin could not remember the name of the officer spoken about.

Davis told police he had drunk five or six beers and some rum before the latest incident.

Judge John Hole told him his reading was high, although it wasn't as high as some before the court.

His attempt to avoid detection did him no favours -and neither did his failure to plead guilty.

"You pleaded not guilty, yet you did not have a defence available to you," he said.

"You chose to defend the charges in the hope something might emerge that might attain a defence.

The judge said drink-drivers who pleaded guilty early usually received a significant concession because they showed remorse and didn't waste court time.

An application for name suppression was refused because, the judge said, "public are entitled to know what goes on in court and who the offenders are".

Outside court, Davis said he regretted his actions and he was embarrassed and disappointed by his behaviour.