Convicted drink-driver says he's finally learnt his lesson

A convicted drink-driver says he has finally learnt his lesson after he narrowly avoided a collision with a police car. File Photo / NZ Herald

A drink-driver with six previous convictions who tried to sneak home on North Canterbury roads and almost hit a police car says he's finally learnt his lesson.

Shayne Kevin Gebbie, 47, pleaded guilty to his seventh drink-driving charge on December 5 after being caught at 2.20am on October 28 following a big night at a Rangiora bar.

He crossed the centre line on Island Rd, Kaiapoi, narrowly avoiding a collision with a patrol car.

Gebbie had been to a 21st birthday party and the group had moved on to a bar in Rangiora.

"I had been drinking whisky. I can't remember how many I had. But I felt fine to drive. I don't have a problem, I just need to learn to not drive after I've been drinking.

"I should've listened to my mates who told me to stay at their house. I regret driving because I got caught," he told the North Canterbury News.

Gebbie thought he may have been sent to a jail when he pleaded guilty yesterday.

Judge David Saunders bailed Gebbie until March for sentencing. But it came with a warning: "If you are caught driving after you have been drinking you will go straight to prison until you are sentenced next year. You are on the cusp of going inside."

- North Canterbury News