Leitha Adriana Whakarau failed to stop at a police checkpoint last month. File photo
Leitha Adriana Whakarau failed to stop at a police checkpoint last month. File photo
A Taranaki mother has pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving and ill treatment of a child after she failed to stop at a police checkpoint last month.
Leitha Adriana Whakarau, 28, appeared in Hawera District Court this morning before Judge John Macdonald.
Whakarau recorded a breath alcohol level of1052mcg when she was arrested after leading police on a high speed chase through Hawera in the early hours of the morning of Sunday, August 30.
She finally stopped after hitting a police car in front of her and police became aware there were four children in the car, aged 4, 5, 7 and 14. Whakarau was initially hostile, described in the summary of facts as being belligerent and uncooperative before being arrested and handcuffed. The 14-year-old became upset and all the children were taken to a nearby relative's house. At this point, Whakarau calmed down, the police summary said.
She offered no explanation for her driving, saying only "I had to leave the house after an argument".
She plead guilty to all four charges, of ill treatment of children, driving with a level over 400mcg of alcohol, driving in a dangerous manner and failing to stop for a police vehicle.
Judge John Macdonald remanded her on bail, to return for sentencing on November 16.
