Some drinkers still driving

DRINK-DRIVERS: Six motorists were convicted of drink-driving in Masterton this week, much to the disappointment of police. PHOTO/FILE

Frustration as police warnings go unheeded

The message not to drink and drive is not getting through to some people, say police.

That was evident in the Masterton District Court on Thursday before Judge Geoffrey Ellis, with six people pleading guilty to drink-driving, including a man caught nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit with a young child in his car, a man who was drinking bourbon and cola while driving and a man on his way to go hunting with a rifle in his vehicle.

Masterton traffic officer Sergeant Chris Megaw said generally people were getting the message, the number of convictions in Wairarapa dropping from 300 to about 200 annually in recent years.

However, it was frustrating some people weren't heeding the warnings. "It is disappointing that with all the money being spent on advertising, some people are still not getting the message," he said.

When George Howard Timothy Carrington was stopped near Eketahuna as he headed to Hawke's Bay on a hunting trip on August 19 with a rifle in his car, he was nearly four times the legal alcohol limit with a reading of 300mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit for an adult is 80mg.

The 37-year-old Wairarapa man pleaded guilty to drink-driving and possession of a firearm while intoxicated. Police withdrew a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said a motorist called police after seeing Carrington's car weaving across the centre line and when police stopped him he was unsteady on his feet.

Lawyer Frank Minehan said his client had alcohol issues and had committed himself to rehabilitation "as soon as a placement became available".

Judge Ellis remanded Carrington on bail until October 18.

Benjamin Stringfellow, 38, of Featherston, had his son in the car when he was stopped by police at Featherston on June 28 and blew 1009mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit for an adult is 400mcg. He pleaded guilty to drink-driving. He told police he had had a few wines with friends and was driving home.

Mr Minehan said while it was Stringfellow's third conviction with two in 2008 and 2000, the readings were all high although "spaced out".

Judge Ellis said it was serious offending and Stringfellow was "very lucky not have lost his child" as a result.

Stringfellow was remanded on bail for a pre-sentence report and sentencing on October 30.

Meanwhile, Robert William Towgood, 29, was seen by motorists weaving across the centre line as he headed to Masterton from New Plymouth, drinking pre-mixed bourbon as he drove, Mr Wilson said. He provided a reading of 119mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, and pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Lawyer Virginia Pearson said Towgood had been legitimately overtaking, not weaving across the road, and had only come to the attention of other drivers because of his noisy car.

Judge Ellis said he didn't buy that. "Your judgment cannot be relied on," he told Towgood.

He fined Towgood $600 with $130 court costs, disqualified him from driving for six months and ordered him to pay reparation of $109.25 and $230 medical fees.

Catherine Jill Humphreys, 62, of Greytown, pleaded guilty to drink-driving on August 29 on State Highway 2. She had refused to give a blood sample when stopped by police. Her lawyer, Virginia Pearson, said she had a fear of needles.

Humphreys had no previous convictions of any type.

Judge Ellis said the offending was out of character, and fined her $600, with $130 court costs and disqualified her from driving for six months.

Casey Anne Moleta, 33, of Masterton, was stopped in Chapel St on August 29 and provided a reading of 506mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. She pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was sentenced to 40 hours' community work and disqualified from driving for six months.

Stopped by police in Cameron Cres on August 13, Tony John Karaitiana, 26, provided a reading of 718mcg of alcohol per litre of breath and had no explanation for his offending.

He was fined $1200, with $130 court costs, disqualified from driving for six months and must apply for a zero-alcohol licence at the end of the disqualification.

Meanwhile, Apriana Rawiri Wade appeared on several charges including drink-driving, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified, to which he pleaded not guilty.

He was remanded in custody to re-appear on October 30 for a case review.