A Christchurch truck driver was today fined $4500 plus costs following a rat poison spill on State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura last year.
Bryan George McIntosh, 32, had pleaded guilty to rolling his Pheonix Freight truck and trailer which spilled 19.8 tonnes of rat bait poison into the sea on
May 23 last year.
The rat poison pellets were destined for a Conservation Department rat eradication programme on Campbell Island, 600km southeast of Stewart Island.
In sentencing today, Environment Court Judge Jeff Smith said the fine took into account the immediate and persistent effect on the environment in the area.
A paua and mussel shellfish-gathering ban still remains in the area almost 14 months after the accident.
He said the fine should be a deterrent to offenders who drive beyond their ability.
"You should have been particularly alert at this stretch of road," Judge Smith told McIntosh.
The court was told Mr McIntosh had felt tired. He was still getting a feel for the truck when the accident occurred.
He had only driven a "B train" or full truck and trailer once before, when he did the Christchurch-Picton return run the night before.
The judge said the area was a pristine marine area with significant wildlife values.
"It could not be said the effects (on the environment) in this case were minor."
He said the poisonous chemicals in the rat bait would "persist" in the foodchain.
The Pheonix Freight company was to be sentenced later today.
- NZPA
