KEY POINTS:
A Mt Maunganui woman with breath alcohol readings of 1006 and 1047 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath appeared for sentencing in Tauranga District Court today on two instances of drink-driving two days apart.
Lesley Sanders, 62, accountant, had previous convictions for similar offending, said Judge Paul Geoghegan, imposing four months home detention on each of the latest charges.
He also disqualified her from driving for 18 months on each count.
An additional charge of driving while suspended brought Sanders a further six months' disqualification.
Her case comes just as new research confirms women are fast emerging as a problem group when it comes to alcohol.
The judge heard from lawyer Matthew Ward-Johnson that Sanders had recently completed a Bridge programme and was committed to on-going after-care.
"It is something she knows she has to live with her entire life. She knows she has to remain alcohol-free," he said.
Mr Ward-Johnson submitted Sanders had "proven herself worthy" of a sentence short of prison or home detention.
Community work would be a suitable penalty and would help in her rehabilitation, he said.
"She is not proud of her history but she is not a woman without hope."
Judge Geoghegan said a more severe punishment was deserved.
"Frankly, a sentence of imprisonment could easily be warranted."
Sanders had had significant intervention in the past and every opportunity to deal with her alcohol problem, the judge said, telling the defendant her driving worried him.
Two days after being followed home by police and her vehicle rolling backward down the driveway into the front of the patrol car, Sanders' employer asked her to leave work premises because of her intoxication. She insisted on driving and police were called.
"The primary responsibility for all of this rests with you and you alone," said Judge Geoghegan.
"It would appear you have had an extremely difficult time dealing with your alcoholism.
"This type of offending is a very significant concern in our community."
Any sentence had to promote protection from drunk drivers and deterrence to other such offenders.
Otago University researcher Geoff Hall said this week the number of women caught drink-driving had increased by a huge 1700 per cent over the past 20 years.
Describing the figure as "alarming," he said the Government was failing to target this rising problem group.
- NZPA
