Teen trio guilty of drink driving

Three teenage drivers, not legally permitted to drive after drinking, have appeared in court pleading guilty to drink-driving charges.

Drivers under the age of 20 are subject to a zero alcohol limit.

The three appeared before Judge Barbara Morris in Masterton District Court on Tuesday admitting to the charges.

On July 31, Shaun John Higginson, 19, was stopped by police driving south on Fraser St in Masterton and blew a reading of 349mcg of alcohol per litre of breath.

Defence lawyer Virginia Pearson said her client, who was supported in court by his parents, was "extremely remorseful".

"He made an error of judgment ... he's a sensible level-headed young man."

Judge Morris told Higginson he had a lot in his favour and to take control of his own life. "What you need to do is ensure when things get tough for you, you don't turn to alcohol."

She fined the teenager $200, ordered he pay $130 court costs and disqualified Higginson from driving for three months.

When 19-year-old Jacob Luke Buchan was stopped by police at Carterton he was over the legal adult alcohol limit of 400mcg. He pleaded guilty to drink driving with an alcohol reading of 464mcg.

Judge Morris ordered Buchan pay a $300 fine as well as $130 court costs and disqualified him from driving for six months.

"You should not have had any alcohol in your system," Judge Morris said.

On July 26, Thomas Martin Cayless, 19, was stopped by police on Carterton's High St at 8am and produced a reading of 381mcg. Judge Morris fined Cayless $200 and disqualified him from driving for three months.