KEY POINTS:
A Gisborne man who falsely gave his teenaged brother's name when breath tested for drink driving now faces charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice, say police.
If he had given his own name he would have blown under the adult limit and not be facing the more serious charge.
Senior Sergeant Rodger Gray of Gisborne police said the 21-year-old was stopped and breath tested back in September.
He gave police his younger brother's name. The brother was under 20 years of age and was subject to a lower breath alcohol limit.
He was charged under the false name and subsequently failed to appear in court on the due date, Mr Gray said.
A warrant was arrested for the younger brother and he was arrested and spent two days in police cells.
The elder brother then told police what happened, Mr Gray said.
"The irony is if that if he had given the correct name, he would have been under the limit."
The man was due to appear in Gisborne District Court this afternoon.
- NZPA
