Man caught 28 times in car too dangerous to drive

A 48-year-old Nelson man has been caught 28 times driving a car that was pink stickered because it was unfit to be on the road, Nelson District Court has heard.

Daniel James McHugh admitted two charges of driving a vehicle that had been ordered off the road.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Stringer said McHugh's car had been issued with a non-operation order because of a "number of faults". The warrant of fitness had expired in 2003.

McHugh was caught driving the car several times during May, June and July, and on each occasion the car's pink sticker had been removed.

Defence lawyer Tony Bamford said the car was now off the road, although McHugh had not disposed of it.

McHugh had already been issued with $600 worth of infringement notices for driving the car, and had a total of more than $16,000 in outstanding fines that he was paying off at $22.50 a week. He was on a benefit and had limited income.

Judge Tony Zohrab said the latest charges were McHugh's 27th and 28th for "similar offending".

Despite the large amount of outstanding fines the only penalty for the offence was a fine. McHugh was fined $200 on each charge.

- NZPA