Drink-driver a ‘menace’ to road safety

A drink-driver convicted on her seventh alcohol related offence is a ‘‘menace’’ to public safety, a judge says.

Blenheim woman Joann Mortensen, 49, was sentenced on charges of driving with excess breath alcohol third and subsequent, and driving while disqualified when she appeared at the Blenheim District Court on Monday.

According to a police summary of facts, she was stopped on Henry St about 4am on March 7.

An evidential breath test brought back a result of 795 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 250mg.

Mortensen was sentenced on similar alcohol related charges in October 2019, and was serving a sentence of intensive supervision when she was pulled over in March.

Judge Gary Barkle said the number of alcohol related convictions was an aggravating factor.

‘‘It is made even worse because the last three have been within a four-year period,’’ he said. ‘‘You’re a menace on the road.’’

He noted Mortensen had an ‘‘extensive’’ criminal history spanning 32 years.

The report writer said Mortensen had been engaging well with the sentence of supervision, that she had got a job, and was well thought of by her employer.

Mortensen was sentenced to six months’ community detention. Her licence was disqualified for one year and a day from October, when the current disqualification ended and she was still subject to intensive supervision.

‘‘You’re basically off the road for a very long period of time,’’ Barkle said.