KEY POINTS:
The former boss of a high-profile rehab centre in Christchurch has pleaded guilty to a drink-driving charge.
Ewen James McLeod, 59, who had been working as a real estate agent, also admitted driving while forbidden and driving with excess-breath alcohol.
He denied a second drink-driving charge and other charges and will have a defended hearing before a Christchurch District Court Judge on July 27.
Judge Graeme Noble today ordered a probation report to be prepared so that McLeod can be sentenced on the charges he admitted today.
The police summary said he backed a BMW car out of his driveway at Diamond Harbour but went too far and got it stuck in a ditch on the other side of the road. He then drove a second car to try to tow it out.
When police saw him he seemed affected by alcohol and a check showed a level of 823mcg of alcohol to a litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.
He told police he was going to drive to the shops, and admitted driving the second vehicle to try to tow out the first.
The Deanery, in central Christchurch, offered alcohol rehabilitation treatment to high profile clients, including English model and actress Paula Hamilton, before its collapse in 2003.
- NZPA
