Whanganui woman banned from road after drink-driving episode

Tara Rana-Huia Omahu Bryers, 24, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified when she appeared in the Whanganui District Court.

Police caught Bryers driving with three occupants in the car on December 3 in Whanganui.

Defence lawyer Stephanie Burlace said Bryers accepted she made a poor decision.

"Someone else was driving while they had been drinking and made the decision to pull over, and she drove because she was sober."

Judge Stephanie Edwards convicted Bryers, ordered her to pay a $400 fine and $130 court costs and disqualified her from driving for a further six months.

Meanwhile, Steven Paul Lawler, 45, pleaded guilty to driving with excess blood alcohol on a third or subsequent occasion when he appeared in the district court.

On November 23, Lawler was driving on Jackson St in Whanganui when he was stopped by police and showed 196mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, which equates to a 980mcg breath alcohol reading.

Ms Burlace said Jackson had lost his job because of the offence and was taking steps to deal with his alcohol issues.

Lawler was convicted, ordered to pay a $600 fine, $130 court costs, and $295 for reparation to police. His driver's licence was obtained for a year.