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A teenager who stole his friend's identity after being nabbed for drink-driving has been told he is likely to go to jail.
Te Haurua Tanginui Tiore O'Reilly, 18, appeared in Gore District Court yesterday and was convicted of perverting the course of justice by assuming the name of Leslie David Remuera Laing, The Southland Times reported today.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years' jail.
Judge Kevin Phillips condemned the shearer's actions in giving police a false name on March 9 when he was pulled up in Gore for drink-driving and for keeping the assumed identity when he appeared in court three days later.
O'Reilly had been able to give police the correct birthdate of his friend who had been living in Auckland since late last year.
Judge Phillips said he considered O'Reilly's offending very serious and jail was inevitable.
Remanding O'Reilly for sentence, the judge said: "It is my understanding ... that Mr Laing has had to take a lot of steps to get his name cleared."
O'Reilly was also convicted on two charges of driving while forbidden and driving with a breath alcohol level of 400mcg, more than twice the limit for a person aged under 20.
- NZPA
