Teacher caught five times over breath alcohol level

The woman was caught with a breath alcohol level of 1236 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. Photo / Duncan Brown

A Northland teacher driving with nearly five times the legal alcohol limit mounted a kerb and smashed into large rocks outside a house before police were called.

Michelle Beryl Campbell, a teacher at Whau Valley Primary School, 46, pleaded guilty in Whangarei District Court this week to one charge of driving with a breath alcohol level of 1236 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

The legal limit for motorists aged 20 and over is 250mcg.

It is her second drink-driving conviction.

The police summary of facts for her latest offending stated Campbell drove from Kamo to Keyte St in Kensington on January 30 after a couple of wines.

She misjudged an easy right-hand bend, mounted the kerb and hit large rocks on a grass verge on Keyte St.

The vehicle crossed the centre line and almost hit a kerb in the opposite lane.

Campbell initially told police she had not been driving but eventually admitted driving from Kamo after consuming wine.

Campbell was remanded on bail to re-appear for sentencing on May 3.