KEY POINTS:
A drunk driver was caught with his pants down after police spotted him making love to his girlfriend on the side of the road.
Richard Mori Maxwell, 42, of Kaingaroa, had a Rotorua district courtroom in stitches on Wednesday as he described how police had arrested him on Ngongotaha Rd.
However, Maxwell's humorous court appearance could not keep him out of jail.
Judge Chris McGuire sentenced him to 12 months' imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.
Earlier, the "self-employed busker" had admitted his eighth drink driving charge. Police said they stopped Maxwell on Ngongotaha Rd in May 2005 and spoke to him on an "unrelated matter".Yesterday, Maxwell said he and his girlfriend had been having sex in a vehicle after an argument. He said he was "trying to do something nice for her".
"[Police] caught me with my pants down. Then the school bus went past and they tooted as well," Maxwell told the court.
Maxwell failed a breath test, and then gave a blood sample. His alcohol level was 153mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The limit for drivers aged 20 and over is 80mg.
Defence lawyer Rob Vigor Brown said his client accepted full responsibility for his actions.
Judge McGuire said trying to "do something nice" for his girlfriend was probably the reason Maxwell had seven children. Maxwell could kill someone if he continued to drink and drive - but Maxwell disagreed.
"I think there are some drink drivers who can drive," he replied.
The judge granted Maxwell leave to apply for home detention.
-DAILY POST
