Driver six times over legal limit

A driver stopped at a police checkpoint in Nelson was so drunk he was unable to blow into a breathalyser.

Tin Hlawng Than Tluang, 45, pleaded guilty to a charge of excess breath alcohol at the Nelson District Court on Monday.

At about 7.50pm on December 12, Than Tluang was driving on Gloucester St in Nelson when he was stopped at a checkpoint.

However, police found that Than Tluang was physically unable to give a breath sample, and had to be taken to a police station to conduct a blood test.

The blood test showed a reading of 317mcg/litre, six times over the legal limit of 50mcg/litre.

Judge Tony Zohrab said the reading was the worst he’d seen. ‘‘I have been dealing with drunk drivers for 30 years, and I don’t think I’ve seen a level this high.

‘‘For some people in this courtroom, had they drunk this much they wouldn’t be able to find their car, much less drive it – and some would be in danger of dying from alcohol poisoning.’’

People with a blood alcohol level of 300mcg/litre can enter into a stupor, where they appear awake but are unresponsive to nearly all stimuli.

At 350mcg/litre it is similar to an impairment level achieved by surgical anaesthesia, while a person with a reading over 400mcg per litre is at risk of coma or sudden death.

Lawyer Lucy Patchett said that Than Tluang, who works in Nelson as an agricultural worker, did not believe he had a drinking problem.

In his explanation to police about his alcohol level, Than Tluang said he had drunk two Kingfisher beers.

‘‘To suggest you do not have a problem with alcohol is crazy, when you look at the level and the fact you have two previous convictions.’’ Judge Zohrab said.

Zohrab disqualified Than Tluang from driving for 12 months, and imposed a three-year zero alcohol licence from the end of the disqualification term.

He also sentenced him to 100 hours’ community work, and 12 months’ supervision with the special condition of a drug and alcohol assessment.

If you are back here again for drinking and driving, the court will be considering a prison sentence,’’ Zohrab said.