Drunk rider almost lost foot

After drinking beers and bourbons with friends at the beach Daryl Paul Lee pulled a wheelstand on a motorbike he was riding, trapping his foot in the chain and nearly severing his toes.

The 40-year-old Carterton painter was airlifted to hospital where doctors worked to save his seriously damaged foot. Lee was found to be twice the legal limit to drive.

Appearing on crutches before Judge Chris Touhy in Masterton District Court yesterday Lee pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Nick Newbery said about 8.30pm on November 8 Lee was at Ngawi beach in South Wairarapa riding his Yamaha 450cc motorcycle on the beach.

However, when he pulled a wheel stand on the grassy verge opposite the Ngawi Fire Station on Cape Palliser Rd the motorcycle toppled on top of Lee with his foot going through the chain, causing extensive damage to his foot and toes.

"This area is used by people to camp and members of the public."

Lee was flown to Wellington Hospital where he underwent surgery and a blood sample showed he had a blood alcohol level of 159mg per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit at the time was 80mg but has since been dropped to 50mg or 250mcg of alcohol per litre of breath.

When spoken to by police he said he had consumed four beers and three bourbons and didn't realise he had driven on a public road.

Lawyer James Elliott said his client had drunk a "number of drinks" that day.

"He's a victim of his own circumstances ... he came close to losing his foot. He will carry that for some time."

Judge Touhy stood the case down for Lee to speak with Community Corrections about community work but the judge was told Lee "can't stand for long periods" and was better suited to community detention.

Judge Touhy remanded Lee at large for a pre-sentence report including a community detention report. He said Lee was suffering a "self-inflicted disability" as a result of his actions when he crashed.

Lee is due back in court for sentencing on February 17.