'Humiliated' barrister to plead guilty to drink-driving

Photo / Herald on Sunday

A top Auckland barrister has been charged with drink driving after making the "appalling" decision to drive home after a work function.

Colin Charles McKay, 57, said he thought he was "all right" to drive after the function near his Orakei home on July 3, but he was twice the legal limit.

He will plead guilty when he appears in the Auckland District Court on Tuesday.

The New Zealand Law Society may consider his ability to practice if a conviction is entered.

McKay, who is a partner at the firm Wilson McKay, said police pulled him over after driving behind him and breath tested him.

Police said McKay's breath alcohol reading was 806 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.

McKay says after 42 years of driving he has "never had so much as a ticket" and regrets making the decision to drive.

"It was a private function with staff and we provided taxi chits for everyone at the function," said McKay.

"But I stupidly decided to drive (because) it was just up the road from my house.

"The police were driving behind me and decided to stop me but I'm not sure why. Good on them, though."

McKay said he was co-operative with police, who gave him a ride home.

He could not recall how much he had had to drink that evening.

"I thought I was all right," he said.

"It was one of those situations where you think you're 10-feet tall and bulletproof. It was the worst decision I've ever made.

"It's pretty appalling and I feel very bad about it. I am embarrassed and humiliated by it."

A society spokesman would not comment on the case.

But, in general terms, a criminal conviction for driving with excess breath alcohol "could be relevant" in assessing a lawyer's ability to practice, he said.

McKay is a well-known lawyer in Auckland, specialising in property law, business and commercial law and trusts and wills.