An off-duty police officer had to pull the keys from the ignition to stop a repeat drink driver fleeing after an accident, a court has been told.
Brian William Tawhai, 55, builder, appeared for sentencing in Kaikohe District Court last week on two charges of driving with excess breath alcohol, for a third or subsequent time, after he was found to be over the alcohol limit in June and August last year.
The court was told Tawhai crashed a car into a culvert on Waimate North Rd on June 10.
A test found he had a level of 1011 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, more than double the 400mcg limit.
He was stopped again by police on State Highway 1, Ohaeawai, on August 11. A test showed a level of 783mcg.
He was sentenced to six months' community detention, 100 hours' community work, 12 months' supervision and disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day.
