Judge should sentence 'hoon' - police

MENDING: Pahiatua shearer Nicholas Watson, 23, is slowly on the mend after crashing his car in sand dunes at Castlepoint last December. PHOTO/FILE

A district court judge needs to sentence Nicholas Watson because a warning needs to be sent to the public about the dangers of hooning, a police prosecutor has successfully submitted to the court.

The 23-year-old Pahiatua shearer, who featured in the Times-Age last week warning other young drivers to drive carefully, appeared before Justices of the Peace Peter Debney and John Bunny in Masterton District Court for sentencing yesterday on charges of driving while forbidden and careless driving.

Watson nearly died when he crashed his brother's car on sand dunes at Castlepoint Beach on December 12, 2013. He was left with two broken legs, a broken hip, two shattered knees and pierced lung and was airlifted to Wellington Hospital in a coma. Two passengers in the car where unhurt but shaken.

He told the Times-Age his life changed in a instant. He is awaiting more surgery to replace his knee and will never play rugby or basketball again.

While he was extremely remorseful, police prosecutor Sergeant Jodie Lawrence said the seriousness of the circumstances surrounding the case required it be put to a judge for sentencing.

"I'm not confident of sentencing in this court ... It's not simple carelessness. There might be a message to the public the judge might wish to make," Ms Lawrence said.

Defence lawyer Frank Minehan said Watson had little recall of the accident and had ongoing rehabilitative needs including learning to walk again.

He urged the court to pass sentence so Watson could get on with his rehabilitation and put this behind him.

"He accepts the summary, that there was speed and a manoeuvre that is clearly illegal ... he accepts he could have killed his work mates."

Watson is due to undergo surgery on his knee this week.

The Justices adjourned sentencing and remanded Watson to the Palmerston District Court on July 7.