Christchurch drink driver imprisoned

Photo / File

The Christchurch woman who ploughed into a couple while drink driving has been sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment and will never be able to drive again.

Repeat drink-driver, 45-year-old Sarah Arrow crashed her VW into a couple walking down Main Road in Redcliffs on March 25 which was Good Friday.

The public gallery in the Christchurch District Court was filled with support for the victims as Arrow was sentenced today.

One of the victims, Ben Appleton sustained serious injuries when he was thrown two metres into the Redcliffs rock face.

He broke both legs, several ribs and fractured his skull.

His brother Tom Appleton read his victim impact statement on his behalf.

Arrow was disqualified from driving indefinitely and ordered to pay $2500 emotional harm reparations to Appleton.

Arrow has had three previous drunk driving convictions in 1997, 2011, and 2013.

Judge Stephen O'Driscoll said that given Arrow's history, there was a chance she would reoffend.

At the time of the incident, Arrow's blood alcohol level was 1009mcg - despite having a zero-alcohol licence imposed on her on January 10.

Her defence lawyer said she was suffering mentally after the loss of her mother.

Her now ex-husband took her children away and threatened she would never see them again.

She has acknowledged she has a problem and her lawyer said she has finally realised that "her and alcohol do not mix".