Nine years later, her alcohol consumption has landed her in prison again.
At 4.30pm on February 12 last year, a young shepherd and his dogs were trying to shift a mob of lambs to higher ground as Cyclone Gabrielle loomed.
Wyant was driving along Tauwhareparae Road near Tolaga Bay when she ploughed into the flock, crashing into the back of the shepherd’s quad-bike.
Twenty-nine lambs died.
Wyant was abusive not only to attending police but to the young shepherds attempting to help her.
Her breath-alcohol level was 1032mcg — more than four times the legal limit.
In another incident nearly 10 months later while on bail, Wyant was witnessed driving erratically and weaving between lanes in Mosgiel on December 3.
Police noted she was belligerent and clearly inebriated.
A blood-alcohol test returned a level of 222 milligrams — again more than four times the legal limit,.
Counsel Brian Kilkelly said his client had an “awful history of drinking and driving” but had been making an effort to quit.
“It’s obviously a gross understatement to say alcohol is at the core of this offending over a 25-year period,” he said.
Mr Kilkelly said his client felt terrible and her drinking habit had worsened after the cyclone destroyed her home.
“She was one of the victims who were particularly impacted — quite devastatingly,” he said.
Judge Robinson voiced his reservations and said his primary obligation was to protect the community from Wyant.
He pointed to another drink-driving incident in December 2022 when the woman told pursuing police, she “didn’t stop because she didn’t want to go to jail”.
“Others are in danger. A lengthy term of imprisonment is warranted,” Judge Robinson said.
After the judge had granted the Otago Daily times permission to take a photograph in court, the defendant abused media representatives.
She was disqualified indefinitely, ordered to pay $3997 reparation and $115 for blood analysis .
The judge also ordered her vehicles be forfeited.
