After dog attack woman stole vodka to numb pain

Kandy Valent was stopped by police with twice the legal limit of alcohol in her system. Photo: File

After a dog attacked her, Kandy Valent stole a bottle of vodka to numb the pain, the court heard.

Valent pleaded guilty before the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday for a charge of shoplifting and driving with excess breath alcohol.

Police prosecutor Steven Butler told the court Valent entered a liquor store at 4pm on July 11.

She placed a bottle of vodka valued at $35 inside her handbag and left without paying.
The staff ran outside to confront her at which point Valent drove away.

Valent later told police she did not remember being confronted by the staff.

She was pulled over by police sometime later with a breath alcohol reading at more than twice the criminal limit.

Her defence Counsel Harete Hipango said her client had been attacked by a pitbull dog shortly before the theft.

Because no pharmacies were open close by she had taken the vodka to "knock herself out."

"She wanted the bottle to self medicate and make it through the night," she said.

Judge Philip Crayton sentenced Valent to 12 months community supervision, license disqualification and to pay reparations of $35.

"It was troubling that you thought you were okay to drive," he said.