Nelson drunk driver jailed after two trials and ‘perjured’ evidence

A drunk driver has been sentenced to jail, despite his ‘‘fanciful’’ excuses, two trials, and ‘‘perjured’’ evidence.

Judge David Ruth declined Keith Roussel’s application to withdraw his guilty plea or consider his ‘‘new theory’’ of the case.

In the Nelson District Court yesterday, he sentenced Roussel to six months’ jail for drunk driving, and two months for dangerous driving. He had earlier pleaded during a second trial on the charges.

The judge said past testimony from Roussel’s daughter that she was driving the car ‘‘wasn’t a theory, that was perjured’’. That testimony came in his first trial.

Two witnesses who saw Roussel’s dangerous driving and followed him home provided a description of the driver, which the judge said could only be describing Roussel.

He said he was ‘‘very satisfied’’ that Roussel was the driver.

‘‘Any new changed defence will be as fanciful and as likely to be an untruth as the last one,’’ the judge said.

‘‘I was willing to be more lenient at the end of the second trial, because I thought he had finally come to his senses. I could only assume he could not ask his daughter to give perjured evidence a second time. She hasn’t been charged yet, but that doesn’t mean she won’t be. Anyone else silly enough to speak to Mr Roussel’s new theory will likely find themselves facing similar charges.’’

Judge Ruth said Roussel’s ‘‘fanciful’’ stories included that he was sleeping, or that he had been framed and was being stalked by a police officer.