Mother goes to jail for drink driving

A Nelson mother caught drink driving twice on the same day, once with children in the car, has been sentenced to six months' jail.

Donna Clarrissa Kiel, 39, appeared in Nelson District Court for sentencing on Wednesday, after earlier pleading guilty to two charges of drink driving and one of driving while suspended.

Judge Paul Whitehead said on November 27 at 4am Kiel was stopped driving in Nelson.

Her breath test recorded more than twice the legal limit at 870mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.

At 2.42pm on the same day, Kiel was stopped at a checkpoint, with children in her car, and had a breath alcohol reading of 544mcg.

Judge Whitehead said that while he understood Kiel had not drunk any more after being stopped the first time, she had five prior drink driving convictions and four convictions for driving while suspended.

Kiel was the primary caregiver for nine children, four of which were hers. Three of the children were over 16.

Judge Whitehead sentenced Kiel to six months in prison. He gave leave for Kiel to apply for home detention, and deferred the commencement of her sentence until June 27.

Kiel was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.

- nzpa