Motorcyclist fined for 'appalling' driving

The motorcylist led police on a high-speed chase around Masterton, driving at more than 100km/h in residential areas. File photo / NZ Herald

An unlicensed 18-year-old motorcycle driver led police on a high-speed chase around Masterton, including through netball courts and driving more than 100km/h in residential areas.

Judge Tom Broadmore described the teen's driving as "appalling".

Kingi Tewero Walker-Topia, a forestry worker, appeared in Masterton District Court on Monday and was convicted of reckless driving, failing to stop and exceeding the blood alcohol limit.

According to the police summary of facts, Walker-Topia was riding his unregistered Yamaha motorcycle in Masterton about 8.30pm on June 7.

He was driving without lights on and was followed by a police patrol, which indicated to him to stop.

The teen sped up, driving more than 100km/h, at one point riding through netball courts and into the CBD.

He eventually stalled on a public walkway and was arrested.

A blood alcohol test revealed a result of 81 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, which exceeded both the youth and adult limit of 80 milligrams.

Walker-Topia has never held any form of driver licence.

The teen said he didn't want to stop because he did not want to lose his motorcycle.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said Walker-Topia had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and no one was hurt by his driving.

Judge Broadmore said Walker-Topia was a young man with a good future and a good job.

"You obviously want to keep your job, and I want to support you in that, but this is just an appalling piece of driving," Judge Broadmore said.

He ordered Walker-Topia to pay a fine of $100, courts costs of $182 and medical expenses for the blood alcohol test which was more than $300.

He was also disqualified from driving for nine months.