Crash victim's brother admits drink-driving

File Photo / Herald on Sunday

The brother of the Westport teenager killed in an alleged drink-driving car crash is facing a raft of charges himself, including drink-driving.

Monday Wihongi, 24, of Waimangaroa, north of Westport, appeared in Westport District Court today for pre-sentencing on charges of drink-driving, threatening with a weapon, failing to answer police bail, and cultivation of cannabis.

His youngest sister, Harmony Wihongi, 16, died in a car crash near Westport on Sunday night. Police have charged the driver, also 16, with drink driving, dangerous driving causing death, and failing to report an accident.

The Westport court was told today that Wihongi had appeared in Greymouth District Court earlier this week for breach of bail conditions. At that appearance he had asked for a relaxation of his bail terms so he could consume alcohol during a very stressful time for him and his family.

However, today Judge David Saunders said although he was aware of Wihongi's personal situation, there would be no lessening of bail terms. The community would be "aghast if you were breaching them", he said.

Despite the circumstances, it was simply not appropriate for Wihongi to drink or take drugs.

He said Wihongi had seen the consequences to his family of people who acted (drink-drove) in this way.

Wihongi's drug and alcohol problems needed to be addressed. "If he doesn't do it in the community he'll end up doing it in jail," said Judge Saunders.

Wihongi pleaded guilty to all charges and will appear for sentencing on November 25. His bail conditions also prohibit him from driving.

Prosecuting, Sergeant Mark Harris said Wihongi and some friends had got into an altercation on Palmerston Street on the evening of September 29. Wihongi had found a rusty umbrella stand about two metres long and used it as a threatening weapon in a fight.

When police went to his house to search for the weapon later on, they recovered 13 potting containers with a cannabis seed in each.

Defence counsel Doug Taffs said Wihongi had admitted carrying the weapon was stupid, the seeds were for his own use and he had missed showing up for bail because he thought it was the next week.

- NZPA