Badly burned man's father jailed

File photo / NZ Herald

The father of a man who suffered horrific burns when he struck high-voltage power lines in a cherry picker late last year has been jailed for nearly running over a police officer while drunk.

John Paul Hall sped through a police checkpoint and nearly struck the officer last August.

The 50-year-old Papamoa man was jailed for six months and disqualified for two years when he appeared on his sixth drink-driving charge in Tauranga District Court yesterday (Wed).

He had earlier pleaded guilty to charges of driving with excess breath alcohol, failing to stop and dangerous driving.

Hall failed to stop at a checkpoint in Maranui St on August 25.

A police officer had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit and Hall drove off at 40km/h and was chased for about 1km before stopping.

He had a breath alcohol reading of 772 micrograms, almost double the adult legal limit of 400mcg.

Sentencing was to take place in November but was postponed after Hall's 23-year-old son Troy suffered life-threatening burns after being nearly electrocuted on October 14.

Troy Hall was in a metal cherry picker that struck high-voltage power lines at an avocado orchard in Matapihi.

He was rushed to Tauranga Hospital in a critical condition and flown to Waikato Hospital the same day suffering burns to 65 per cent of his body. He remains in Waikato Hospital.

Hall senior's lawyer Herman Roose told Judge Christopher Harding the injured son was no longer at risk of dying but faced a long, painful recovery.

Mr Roose said Hall accepted he had risked his liberty and ability to continue to be there for his son, but asked to be considered for home detention.

But Judge Harding said home detention was inadequate for anyone on their sixth drink-driving conviction.

"A very clear message needs to be sent to you and other repeat drink-drivers that they will be removed from the community."

Hall must have alcohol and drug counselling when released.