Drunk teen convicted after vandalism, crash

A drinking session that involved damaging a car with a baseball bat and ended in a crash has resulted in a conviction for a Nelson teenager.

Deon Tehana, 18, pleaded guilty to charges of wilful damage, dangerous driving and drink driving when he appeared in the Nelson District Court on Monday.

The court heard that on the morning of August 6, Tehana was seen on Waimea Rd hanging out of the passenger side of a vehicle. He used a baseball bat to smash the wing mirror of a parked vehicle.

Later that day, Tehana was driving the same car dangerously along Songer St in Stoke at excessive speed. He turned into Willow Ave, where he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a property.

Tehana left the vehicle, and was located a short time later on Ranui Rd and breath-tested. He was found to have 473 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. There is a zero alcohol limit for drivers aged under 20.

Tehana admitted damaging the parked car with the baseball bat. The owner sought $400 reparation for the insurance excess as a result of the damage.

In explanation for the crash, Tehana said he had driven too fast around a corner and did not see an oncoming vehicle, and he was drunk and not thinking.

Judge Tony Zohrab convicted Tehana and referred the matter to restorative justice.

Tehana was bailed to reappear in the Nelson District Court on September 10 and ordered not to drive a motor vehicle except for travelling to and from work, or for work purposes.