Judge slams drink-driving tourists

Foreign defendants on drink-driving charges were told they were not wanted in this country, by a judge in court. File photo

Foreign defendants on drink-driving charges were told they were not wanted in this country, by a judge in the Queenstown District Court yesterday.

Judge Kevin Phillips said if it was up to him, German visitor Tobias Werner Lutz (19) would be deported immediately, after Lutz admitted a charge of driving with a breath-alcohol level of 480mcg on January 1, in Camp St, Queenstown.

The defendant was fined $500, court costs $132.89 and disqualified for six months.

"We don't want your kind in New Zealand," Judge Phillips told Lutz.

Frenchman Frederich Gilles Marin (27) fared little better when he stood in the dock and admitted driving with a breath-alcohol level of 587mcg on Wynyard Cres, Queenstown, on Christmas Day.

Judge Phillips said he took a "dim view of visitors coming to this country and abusing its laws" when he fined Marin $600, court costs of $132.89 and disqualified him for six months.