Drunken crash earns jail warning

Judge Barbara Morris sentenced Judas Whaiora Crawford to 220 hours of community work for driving dangerously while suspended, resisting arrest and being over the legal alcohol limit. FILE PHOTO

A 29-year-old Carterton man who drunkenly crashed his car into a tree in Martinborough has been warned by a judge that a repeat of his actions is likely to land him in jail.

In the Masterton District Court on Tuesday, Judge Barbara Morris sentenced Judas Whaiora Crawford to 220 hours of community work for driving dangerously while suspended, resisting arrest and being almost four times over the legal alcohol limit.

Judge Morris said it was "simply good luck that there wasn't a loss of life" when Crawford lost control of the car and crashed into a tree in a built-up area of the town at 3.40pm in June.

"There were a number of people walking around, including children and you could have just as easily crashed into them."

It was fortunate broken glass that flew on to the footpath did not injure anyone, she said.

"Despite drinking to the point that your reading was nearly four times the legal limit, you decided to get into a motor vehicle and you sped."

Crawford had provided a breath alcohol reading of over 900 micrograms per litre of breath. The legal limit is 250mcg per litre of breath.

Judge Morris warned Crawford that if he reappeared on similar charges resulting in injury, he was "likely to lose your liberty".

Lawyer Virginia Pearson said Crawford was remorseful at having put people at risk and had apologised to locals.

As well as community work, Judge Morris sentenced him to nine months' supervision, disqualified him from driving for nine months and ordered him to attend counselling as directed by probation.