Beekeeper ordered to have counselling

Joshua Maxton Smith, 18, pleaded guilty in Masterton District Court to a charge each of drink-driving and receiving stolen goods.

A Masterton drink-driver who crashed while riding a stolen motorbike has been convicted and ordered to undertake drug and alcohol counselling.

On February 27, beekeeper Joshua Maxton Smith, 18, was driving a stolen Honda motorbike at speed on Albert St, Masterton, when he attempted to mount the kerb to avoid a car pulling out of a driveway, and crashed.

Police and ambulance were called to the scene and police found Smith had a breath alcohol sample of 893 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, which is more than three times the legal adult limit of 250 micrograms per litre of breath for those over 20 years of age.

For those under 20, a zero alcohol limit applies.

Smith pleaded guilty to one charge of drink-driving and one charge of receiving stolen property in the Masterton District Court on Monday.

Judge Barbara Morris said she hoped he would not appear before the court again.

"If you leave it here, I'm sure that employers will see it as a blip."

She sentenced Smith to nine months' supervision, and disqualified him from driving for eight months.

She also ordered him to attend drug and alcohol counselling, and pay reparations of $150.