A young man from Hinds was caught drink driving with 969 micrograms of breath alcohol in his system - while under the drink driving age.

Angus James Hyde, 20, was stopped by police after driving over the speed limit down State Highway one in early February.

After his breath test returned a reading of 969 micrograms, almost quadruple the legal limit, he admitted to polcie he’d had “six bottles of Lion Brown” and was on his way to get a vape.”

Lawyer Roz Burnside agreed that reading was “extremely high” in perspective of what the court usually sees.

It would disqualify him from driving for the next month which would impact his ability to work.

“He said it was just so dumb.

“He says this will never happen again, he’s learned a massive lesson.”

“In your young and short driving life, you’ve been a good driver, bar this incident obviously,” Magistrate Sarah Steele said.

“The criminal limit is 400, and you’re more than double that.”

Hyde would be subject to an alcohol interlock provision, meaning after the month of disqualification, he’d had to install an alcohol interlock device on his car and apply for a special licence.

That would stay in his car for 12 months, and then he’d be on a zero-alcohol licence for three years after that.

“That gives you four years to practice driving without alcohol at all,” Steele said.

Hyde was convicted and subjected to the alcohol interlock provisions, so won’t be on the road for the next 28 days.

He was also fined $485 for the charge.

Shots lead to drink driving

Templeton man Stanly Karl Tahiri Pokipoki, 34, pleaded guilty to drink driving with over triple the legal limit of breath alcohol in his system.

In December, he’d been at an event with friends after work and had a bit to drink.

“The miscalculation was pretty servere in this case.”

“Your ability to judge is clearly not very good

“He said his friends bought shots, he consumed a few and didn’t realise the effect they would have on him,” Lawyer Hart said.

He was stopped going down West Street in Ashburton at 59 kilometres an hour, above the posted 50 speed limit, and revealed he was intoxicated via a breath test.

Magistrate Steele was not impressed by the summary of facts.

“Your miscalculation was pretty servere in this case.

“Your ability to judge is, clearly, not very good.”

Pokipoki was convicted, disqualified from driving and ordered to pay a fine of $700.

Snowboarder granted discharge without conviction

Jacob John Ansley, 25, was in court following a guilty plea to drink driving.

He’d been stopped driving down Methven Chertsey road last September with 518 micrograms of breath alcohol in his system, “two big beers’” worth, and double the legal limit of 250.

He was applying for a discharge without conviction - while he’d still be guilty of the crime, he’d have no criminal record.

Such applications are only granted in special situations, and Ansley’s lawyer Gretchen Hart said his case fit the bill.

Ansley works as a snowboard instructor, a job that requires him to travel abroad, and a conviction might bar him from access to some countries.

Canada and Japan were said to have “particularly strict” rules about convictions, no matter how small the offence.

Hart said he “accepts that he will be disqualified from driving,” and has already made steps to right his wrongs.

“He said he’s already undergone an induction to do some voluntary work at the SPCA.”

She said he’d also completed a defensive driving course.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Stephanie Blake said police were not minded to grant the application as the concerns in his submissions were “speculative”.

“They haven't given police any concrete evidence this is a likely outcome.

“But if you’re happy to make a decision today, I’ll sit down.”

“Drink driving is generally considered a moderate offence in New Zealand,” Magistrate Steele said.

“Your alcohol level was towards the lower end of the criminal level.

“You are also still reasonably young.”

She said Ansley was a valued member of the local snowboarding community and had worked hard to build the career he’s had so far.

“I acknowledge a conviction will make you less attractive to employers there [in Japan].

“Even if you don’t have a concrete plan yet, you’re wanting to travel to [other] countries in the near future.”

She granted his discharge without conviction, but he was not free of consequence.

“Our community is rightly distressed by drink driving.

“All decent people suffer shame and remorse.”

Ansley is disqualified from driving for five months - he was given a six month disqualification period which was backdated to late January.

Restarting a sentence

Winchmore man Harison Oliver Squire, 29, was found drink driving while on a zero alcohol licence.

“He was not a level that is dangerous per say,” lawyer Paul Bradford said, “but for the reasons of his previous offence, he shouldn’t have had anything.”

In December 2022, Squire had been sentenced to an alcohol interlock provision, meaning he’d had an interlock device in his car for a year, and was now driving on a zero alcohol licence.

But in November last year, Squire had been stopped driving down East Street due to defects on his car.

A breath test returned an alcohol breath level of 150 micrograms.

“So the interlock process starts again,” Magistrate Steele said.

“This is a rather painful lesson for you to learn.

“Whilst I do have some sympathy for you, [the law] is there for a reason.”

Squire was convicted, and begins the alcohol interlock sentence again from the start; 28 days of disqualification, a year on an alcohol interlock licence and then three years ona zero alcohol licence.

Police charge “lenient”

A Timaru man was told the police had been “lenient” in charging him with disorderly behaviour after he threatened to slap a female officer.

Caleb James Barron, 20, had been arguing with his partner and was “heavily intoxicated” when police showed up.

He’d laid down in a stranger’s driveway and police spoke to him before his behaviour escalated and he began “asking a female officer if she wanted a slap repeatedly.”

Lawyer Gretchen Hart said the silver lining of this case was that Barron had stayed sober for 28 days since the offending.

“He accepts that he was being a complete nuisance, due to his level of intoxication.

“He realises, quite impressive for such a young man, that not consuming alcohol is the only way forward for him.”

Barron had made an effort to seek support around his alcohol issues, which was “reassuring” to police.

They were willing for Barron to receive a conviction and be discharged from the court system.

Magistrate Steele told the young man he’d gotten off light.

“When I read that summary of facts, it's possible you could have been charged with worse.

“The police have been somewhat lenient in their charge.”

She acknowledged the effort he’d made to undo his alcohol habits.

“You have done that work yourself, you have recognised there is an issue here that needs to be addressed.

“I do wish you all the best with the work you have to do.”

Steele convicted Barron and discharged him.

Alcohol issue

A Hampstead man was told in the Ashburton courtroom that he “had an alcohol issue”.

Robert Bruce Brandham, 60, was in court on wilful trespass and shoplifting charges.

Lawyer Clare Yardley said Brandham “had a number of conditions that create some challenges in his life.

“I’ve never seen quite a cocktail of medication like his, that he requires.”

She said he didn’t remember acquiring the shoplifting charge.

“He does not recall having gone to the New World and taking those two bottles of wine.”

“Is there an alcohol issue?” Magistrate Steele asked.

“He said alcohol is an issue at times,” Yardley responded.

“Given what was stolen…” Steele said.

“I think it is apparent, from what we’ve heard here, that there is an alcohol issue driving these things.”

Steele convicted Brandham, ordered reparations of $55.98, and sentenced him to nine months of supervision with conditions to get an alcohol assessment and undertake any courses recommended by corrections.

“I’m waiving court costs given your financial situation,” she said following his conviction.

Dangerous driving

Zak Tipene Walsh, 34, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and loss of traction while driving.

The Ashburton man was seen speeding down Fairfield avenue in early February after becoming upset with his ex-partner.

“He is very sorry for the offending,” lawyer Roz Burnside said.

“Your demerits suggest you’re not the best driver in the world,” Magistrate Steele said.

“That’s one way you can save some money; be a better driver.”

Walsh has appeared in court on other matters, and is under an intensive supervision sentence at the moment.

“There was no alcohol in this offending… a rush of blood to the head?”

Steele convicted Walsh, ordered he pay a $450 fine and ordered seven months of disqualification.

Sustained loss of traction

Doughnuts in a ute have landed a Fairton man in court.

Logan Geoffrey Krammer, 23, pleaded guilty to “operating a motor vehicle causing a sustained loss of traction”.

His rear tyres were seen smoking after he performed the doughnuts down Grahams road.

“He knows it’s not a good thing to do,” said lawyer Gretchen Hart.

“It wasn’t a racing kind of car he was driving either; it was a ute.”

Krammer works full time and has a “reasonably good job,” so losing his licence will have a significant impact on him.

But he’s using the opportunity to better himself, Hart said.

“He’s kind of saying ‘he’s done the crime, he’ll do the time,’ so I don’t believe at this stage he’s applying for a limited licence, but he’s not completely ruling it out.

“He’s also made a commitment to bike to work.”

Magistrate Steele said his record was relatively clean.

“You do have some demerits, but we haven’t seen you in court before.”

Krammer was convicted, disqualified from driving for six months, and fined $450.

By Anisha Satya