Drink-drivers tell court same old sob stories

People convicted of drink-driving face having their names published as well as incurring a fine and loss of licence. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

After a week of controversy over the public's right to know who has been driving drunk on our roads, the Weekend Herald went to court and found five drink-drivers in just 30 minutes.

Police announced this week that they would stop releasing lists of drink-drivers to the media because of concerns about who owned the information.

But Police Minister Judith Collins quickly told them to reconsider, saying people convicted in open court should have their names published unless a suppression order was made.

Yesterday, in courtroom one of the Auckland District Court, Judge Josephine Bouchier heard excuses that are routinely heard in courts throughout the country - drink-drivers who thought they weren't over the limit or who didn't think they had consumed that much alcohol.

Lani Hikimatahare Sandy Jacobs, 31, put his hand up early and pleaded guilty to driving with excess breath-alcohol after being caught by police with 798 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

He had been driving on Great North Rd on August 7. The legal limit is 400mcg.

Through his lawyer, the spray-painter told the court he had felt fine to drive, prompting Judge Bouchier to comment: "He was nearly double the limit."

The duty lawyer replied that the officer who pulled Jacobs over had even commented that he didn't look drunk, but he "can't explain the high level".

To make matters worse, he'd earned the "wrath" of his partner, who would now have to pick up the children.

Before Jazmin Cole, 17, could explain her reasons for being over the legal limit Judge Bouchier beat her to it, asking if the court was about to hear the "good old story" about just going around the block.

What was put up as a reason was that it was 2am when the offence occurred and Cole "thought she would be under the limit". The legal limit for drivers aged under 20 is 150mcg.

Cole sought a minimum suspension of licence of three months, which was granted because she was not significantly over the limit.

Sean Richard Brunton, 40, knew he was going to lose his licence so he left his car at home.

His suspension began immediately after he pleaded guilty to driving with excess blood-alcohol, of 102 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

Mr Brunton was caught on May 29 on Campbell Rd, One Tree Hill, and this was his first traffic offence.

Chin Tun, 26, did drive to court and had his licence suspended from midnight. He was sorry for drink-driving and sought credit for pleading guilty early and indicated he could pay a fine.

His blood-alcohol reading of 108mg was recorded on New North Rd.

Joan Kawekura Atui, 58, had been attending a stressful family group conference, and when she left it she consumed alcohol. The conference had been distressing and covered many sad matters.

The Western Bay of Plenty woman's blood-alcohol reading was 545mg.

Judge Bouchier accepted the duty lawyer's submission that the family conference was an explanation for her drinking but said it was not an excuse.

Atui was remanded in custody without plea.