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HASTINGS - Hawke's Bay police say drink-drivers with multiple convictions are repeatedly putting lives at risk after two Hastings mothers were jailed yesterday.
Keti Raewyn Wihitoria Hokianga, 39, and Mavis Kura Vatuka, 33, both pleaded guilty in Hastings District Court to their fifth drink driving charge.
Judge Ray Kean called drink driving a "social evil", when he sentenced the pair to imprisonment.
Last week, Hokianga was told to "get her affairs in order" as a custodial sentence was inevitable.
Yesterday, her lawyer Catherine Clarkson told the court Hokianga had arranged for her aunt to take care of her four children aged seven to 16.
Hokianga was stopped on January 27 with a breath alcohol reading of 988mg -- nearly 2-1/2 times over the legal limit.
She had three convictions in the 1990s, and her fourth in 2000.
Judge Kean called Hokianga a danger to other people on the roads, and he could see no option but a term of imprisonment.
"You have just got to get the message."
He sentenced her to nine months in prison with leave to apply for home detention, and disqualified her from driving for two years.
Next to the dock was Vatuka, caught drink driving on January 25 with a breath alcohol reading of 651mg.
The court heard Vatuka had three young children, and on her fifth driving driving charge realised she had issues with alcohol.
She was convicted of drink driving in 1990, twice in 1999 and again in 2002. Given the striking similarities between the two, Judge Kean handed Vatuka the exact same prison term and disqualification as Hokianga.
Outside the court police said the sentencing of the two mothers reflected the increasing rate of repeat drink drivers.
Sergeant Ray Kirkby said police had noticed a steady roll of recidivist drink drivers.
"We are getting a flow either on their third of subsequent offence."
Most were over 30, did not take heed of the risks, and continued to offend, he said.
- NZPA
