Man accused of enabling drink driver

Police say the 34-year-old woman gave a breath alcohol reading of almost twice the legal limit. Photo / Martin Sykes

Police are to prosecute a man who allegedly handed back car keys to a woman who had been stopped for drink-driving.

The woman was then caught a second time in what police called a "prime case of stupidity", The Bay of Plenty Times reported today.

Police said the 34-year-old woman was stopped a police check and in Mount Maunganui last night , and gave a breath alcohol reading of more than 700 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.

She was charged with drink driving and because her breath alcohol reading was more than 600mcg she was also suspended from driving for 28 days.

Police gave her keys to a 27-year-old Mount Maunganui man who was sober but, despite a police warning not to let the woman drive, he allegedly handed the keys to her.

She was then caught by police a second time in the same area about half an hour later and this time produced a breath alcohol reading of more than 700mcg.

The woman was charged a second time and the man who returned the keys to her was charged with aiding and abetting a drink.

Police spokesman Ian Campion said the man's actions in handing the keys back to the woman were "ludicrous" and "defied logic, really".

"This is a prime case of stupidity on the part of both the offenders," Mr Campion said.

- NZPA