Job is on the line for 'drunk' driver

CAUGHT: Two drivers face up to their drink-driving in court.

Caught driving with an alcohol level twice the legal limit, David Bain was told he was "drunk" when he got behind the wheel of his car.

David John Bain, 58, pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared before Judge Chris Tuohy in the Masterton District Court recently, telling the judge "I have no excuse for this" when asked why he got behind the wheel after drinking.

On September 6, Bain was at the Top Pub in Greytown drinking and was seen getting into his car and heading south on Main St about 11pm.

Police prosecutor Garry Wilson told the court that police stopped Bain a short distance away and he showed signs of being intoxicated and was breath tested. Blowing an alcohol reading of 798mcg of alcohol per litre of breath, Bain admitted to drinking and offered no explanation at the time, Mr Wilson said. The legal limit for a driver over 20 is 400mcg.

Judge Tuohy told the self-employed man he was drunk as research showed it took quite a few drinks before someone reached the limit limit. "Double the limit means you were drunk."

The judge noted Bain had two previous convictions for excess breath alcohol and fined him $800 plus $130 court costs and disqualified him from driving for eight months.

In reply Bain explained this would cost him his job. "I can't work for eight months," he said as he walked from the dock.

Meanwhile, Michelle Julie-Ann Catherine Leslie, 47, has pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving.

Police stopped her driving on Queen St about 8pm on Saturday July 27 and she blew an alcohol reading of 538mcg.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt told the court Leslie had been using a prescribed alcohol mouthwash with ethanol which had an effect on her. "She might have been affected by that."

He also noted she had a problem with alcohol and had previously completed the Bridge alcohol and drug programme.

Leslie was "moderately" over the limit when she was stopped driving into town to buy food, Mr Blathwayt said.

Judge Tuohy said Leslie had two previous convictions for drink driving from 2005 and 2007 but also stated she had done a lot of work on her alcohol issues. "You have since taken steps to overcome your addictions. This is a step back that is not unknown."

He sentenced her to compete 75 hours community work and disqualified her from driving for one year and one day.