Drink-driver skips interlock

The first man in Marlborough to have an alcohol interlock fitted to his car under new legislation has been caught drinkdriving a different car.

Marcus Dampier-crossley smelled of alcohol when he was pulled over by police on Rapaura Rd, northwest of Blenheim, about 7.40pm on June 18, police said. He gave a breath test result of 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 250mcg.

The Nissan he was driving did not have an alcohol interlock device, so Dampiercrossley was not allowed to drive it.

He told police he had drunk about ‘‘three quart-sized’’ beers before driving. A ‘‘quart’’ is about two pints. He was going to visit a friend, and took the Nissan because his other car, with an interlock installed, would not start, he said.

Dampier-crossley admitted drinkdriving for the third time and breaching his alcohol interlock order, at the Blenheim District Court on Monday. About 12 months earlier, he was the first person in Marlborough to be sentenced to an interlock under new legislation making it mandatory for repeat drink-drivers, which came into effect in July last year.

His lawyer John Holdaway said Dampier-crossley was driving to a job interview, but was having car trouble.

Judge Richard Russell said he was sceptical about that explanation, because alcohol interlock devices were fitted to the ignition so the vehicle could only start if a breath test was passed.

‘‘Perhaps he had so much alcohol in his breath he couldn’t start it, so he took another car?’’ Judge Russell suggested. ‘‘And he had a job interview at 7.37pm? I didn’t come down in the last shower Mr Holdaway.’’

Holdaway said it was not a formal interview, but more of a chat with a friend who could give him a job. His car had been having battery problems, so he was not even able to attempt the breath test, Holdaway said.

Judge Russell convicted and remanded Dampier-crossley on bail to September 23 for sentencing.