KEY POINTS:
An accountant caught driving drunk twice in less than 48 hours was almost three times over the limit each time.
The Mt Maunganui woman was caught the second time after her employer tipped off police.
Lesley Jean Sanders, 60, pleaded guilty in the Tauranga District Court to driving with excess breath alcohol and driving while suspended.
She notched up her fifth and sixth drink-driving convictions in doing so.
According to the summary of facts, at 11.35pm on December 8, Sanders was driving home along Valley Rd in Mt Maunganui when police saw her vehicle mount a kerb.
But when police signalled for her to stop, she failed to do so.
Even when the police patrol car came alongside, she failed to slow, and turned into her driveway.
Halfway up, her car rolled back, into the patrol car behind, causing minor damage to both vehicles.
An evidential breath test taken early on December 9 revealed she had an excess breath-alcohol reading of 1006 micrograms - almost three times the legal limit.
For that, Sanders was suspended from driving for 28 days.
The second offence took place on the morning of December 10. Sanders was at work on Maunganui Rd and was asked to leave when her employer became aware she was drunk.
Sanders got in her car and drove off. At 11.08am, her employer rang police, who found Sanders at her home and breath-test procedures were carried out.
Sanders, who was found to have an excess breath-alcohol reading of 1047 mcg, initially denied having driven but later admitted doing so.
Lawyer Matthew Ward-Johnson successfully argued for Sanders to be bailed, awaiting her sentencing on February 25.
Mr Ward-Johnson told Judge Margaret Lee that Sanders, who admitted she was a chronic alcoholic, described her illness as a "daily battle" but had taken steps to do something about it and had started counselling sessions at a clinic.
Mr Ward-Johnson said because Sanders also suffered from depression and anxiety, remanding her in custody would affect her health.
Bail under extremely strict conditions, including a 24-hour home curfew, could address concerns about reoffending.
Judge Lee told Sanders she would reluctantly grant her bail.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
