Teen's drink driving 'worst in NZ'

An Oamaru teenager probably has the "worst record for drink-driving of any 17-year-old in New Zealand", Judge Stephen O'Driscoll told him in the Oamaru District Court.

Matt Morrell Dunjey, unemployed, admitted a charge of driving with an excess breath alcohol level of 544mcg in an Oamaru street, driving a car with no warrant of fitness, speeding, driving a car ordered off the road, and breaching the conditions of his learner licence on September 19.

He also admitted breaching the conditions of his licence on September 17, driving without the appropriate licence, no warrant of fitness and a car with insufficient tyre tread on September 14.

He further admitted driving a vehicle that had been ordered off the road, and without the appropriate licence, on September 22.

On October 22, after pleading guilty to the previous charges in court and being remanded on bail for a pre-sentencing report, he further offended and was charged with driving with an excess breath alcohol level of 497mcg and driving while forbidden.

Dunjey was held in police custody until the hearing, when he also admitted the two charges.

Judge O'Driscoll said Dunjey's first appearance in court for drink-driving was last year in the Oamaru Youth Court. His second was on March 12 this year, when he admitted three charges of drink-driving.

"This is your third appearance before the court and your fifth and sixth conviction. At the age of 17 to have six convictions ... that is appalling and disgraceful.

"You have put at risk not only yourself but other innocent people who have been on our roads."

Dunjey had $1725 in outstanding fines, and had accumulated 17 infringement notices between September 12 and 21, totalling $4000, which were due to be handed to the courts next month.

Judge O'Driscoll said Dunjey had shown a "flagrant disregard" for the law.

For drink-driving on September 19, Dunjey was convicted and sentenced to three months' prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months. For drink-driving on October 22, he was convicted and sentenced to four months' prison, cumulative on the first sentence, and disqualified from driving for a concurrent 18 months.

He was granted leave to apply for home detention. Special conditions of release were that he undertake counselling courses and programmes as directed by his probation officer.

On the other charges he was convicted and discharged.

- NZPA