'Bad decision' fleeing from police

Travis Robert Brown, 18, pleaded guilty in Masterton District Court to drink-driving and failing to stop for police.

When police tried to stop Travis Robert Brown to talk to him about not wearing a seatbelt - he "made a bad decision", driving off at speed and turning into a stranger's driveway trying to evade them.

After a short chase, the 18-year-old was arrested and charged with drink-driving and failing to stop for police.

He pleaded guilty to the charges when he appeared before Judge Stephen Harrop in Masterton District Court.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jodie Lawrence said Brown was seen by police driving on High Street South, Carterton, without his seatbelt on.

When police tried to stop him, he turned into Brooklyn Rd and accelerated away from the pursuing police car.

"He continued at speed down Brooklyn Rd and turned into the driveway of an address whose occupants were unknown to him," Ms Lawrence said.

He drove past the side of the house and into the backyard until he could drive no further.

When breath-tested, Brown blew an alcohol reading of 309 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The limit is zero for a driver under 20.

Defence lawyer Ian Hard said Brown panicked when he saw the flashing lights. "He made a bad decision."

Judge Harrop told Brown alcohol had affected his judgment but the aggravating feature of his offending was failure to stop for police.

He fined Brown $400 plus $130 court costs and disqualified him from driving for three months on the drink-driving charge. Brown was convicted and discharged on the failing to stop charge.