Drunk driving teacher 'could barely speak'

A drunk driving teacher who was more than four times over the alcohol limit "nearly fell out of the vehicle" after leading police on a short car chase.

Dominic Justin Patea was clocked by police doing 70km/h on Alma Rd on July 9, police prosecutor Sergeant Drew Morrison said in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday.

Police tried to pull Patea over, but he accelerated away, failing to negotiate a turn and driving over a large traffic island, puncturing a tyre.

He continued to drive on the wrong side of the road for a short distance before coming to a stop, Mr Morrison said.

When police opened his car door, Patea "could barely speak" and "nearly fell out of the vehicle".

Patea, 51, told police he just wanted to get home.

A breath test showed he was more than four times over the legal alcohol limit of 250mcg, with a reading of 1156mcg.

He pleaded guilty to driving with excess breath alcohol.

Defence lawyer Stephanie Burlace said Patea had one other drink driving conviction, but that it was from 20 years ago.

"In my submission that's clearly a substantial break in time, and I would suggest is not a pattern."

She said Patea was a contributing member of the community and worked full time as a teacher.

He was "very embarrassed" and referred himself for alcohol treatment.

Judge Philip Crayton fined him $1400, $130 court costs, and disqualified him from driving for eight months.