Jail for drink-driver who was pregnant when caught for eighth time

A repeat drink-driver has been sentenced to a year in prison after being caught drunk at the wheel while seven months pregnant.

Rachael Brown, 38, was sentenced in Rotorua by Judge James Weir. She was due to be sentenced on Tuesday but arrived late and drunk, and was ordered to spend a night in the cells to sober up. "I refused to sentence you because you were hopelessly intoxicated," the judge told Brown yesterday. "At least now you are in a position to understand what I'm saying."

It was Brown's eighth drink-drive conviction and her 15th for driving while disqualified. She has never held a driving licence and is banned for life.

The court was briefly adjourned before Brown appeared yesterday as an extra police guard was called in to deal with her supporters who, during earlier hearings, had threatened the media and yelled out while the judge was trying to speak.

Judge Weir warned that anyone who spoke during sentencing would be arrested. However Brown's partner, who has recently been released from jail himself, yelled "Love you, hon" and a female supporter blew kisses.

"You are associated with people who support criminal behaviour ... you're all in this together basically," Judge Weir told her.

He said despite serving prison terms in the past Brown had not learned from her offending, which began in 1992.

Her previous four convictions were for incidents where she drove while her breath-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. "You just need to know that from here on out the sentences will go right up through the roof," Judge Weir said.

Imprisonment was "the only possible option" for Brown over the latest charges of drink-driving and driving while disqualified.

She will have to serve at least six months and on release will have special conditions to help her with her alcohol problem.

Brown was stopped by police on July 26, 2008, after she indicated to turn right out of Homedale St in Rotorua but turned left. She appeared to be trying to avoid a checkpoint, police said.

Her breath-alcohol level was measured at 994mcg per litre of breath, 594mcg over the legal limit. Two passengers were in the car and Brown told police she was driving because she was "the least pissed" of the three.

After a court appearance in March, for which she was about two hours late, Brown went straight to VC's Turf Bar up the road from the courthouse.

The baby Brown was pregnant with when she was arrested, now seven months old, is in the care of a family member. Brown had two other children who were also being looked after by family members.