Bar security help catch 'show-off' driver

Bar security staff helped police catch a runaway offender this month.

Tahau Tewake was spotted by police revving his car engine and causing tyre skid marks on Victoria Ave on September 5.

Police stood in the middle of the road to stop Tewake, but he put his car into reverse and began backing up the street, police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Willemsen told the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday.

Tewake blew one of his tyres when he backed into a roundabout. He then fled on foot, but was stopped by nearby bar security staff who had witnessed the incident, Ms Willemsen said.

Tewake was breath-tested and found to have 220mcg of alcohol on his breath.

He told police he had fled because he knew he was intoxicated.

Tewake pleaded guilty in court to driving with alcohol in his system while under 20 years old, and causing a sustained loss of traction.

Defence lawyer Jacinda Younger said Tewake was "showing off".

"He tells me that he apologised to police officers at the time." He had no previous convictions.

Judge Max Courtney told Tewake it would end up being a "bit of an expensive exercise". He fined him $250 and $130 court costs on the drink-driving charge, and $200 plus $130 court costs for the sustained loss of traction. He also disqualified Tewake from driving for six months.