Driver on meth when she threw a bottle at police
The police abandoned their pursuit. When they caught up with her later, Ker told police “someone was test-driving” her vehicle.
Libby Ker was under the influence of methamphetamine when she evaded police, and later threw a water bottle at a police car.
On Tuesday, in the Nelson District Court, the 21-year-old, who had earlier pleaded guilty, was sentenced on four driving charges, including failing to stop and dangerous driving.
The facts of the case, read by Judge Michael Mika, said Ker was subject to a driving disqualification when she was spotted behind the wheel of her car in Richmond in July 2023.
She took off, accelerating heavily down Lower Queen St, and swerving into oncoming traffic as she overtook vehicles.
As police pursued, Ker sped along the wrong side of the road.
She briefly turned off her headlights and then braked hard, attempting to cause a collision with the pursuing police car.
The police abandoned their pursuit. When they caught up with her later, Ker told police “someone was test-driving” her vehicle.
In October, Ker was a passenger in a car on the Moutere Highway, travelling towards Motueka.
The car did not have registration plates, and when police spotted the vehicle, they began pursuit.
The driver, Ker’s partner, sped up, and turned onto Central Rd, ignoring the police lights and sirens. Rounding a corner, the driver crossed the centre line, and police abandoned pursuit.
The police later spotted the car driving erratically down Motueka’s Pah St.
As the police followed the vehicle, it passed another police car. Ker picked up a large water bottle and threw it out of the passenger window, hitting the police car.
When the car ran out of petrol, Ker and her co-offender were arrested.
Ker’s lawyer, Josh Friend, said the young mother was a beneficiary with a history of substance abuse.
She was also in an abusive relationship with her co-offender, and when Ker evaded the police, the man had 6 grams of methamphetamine in his possession, Friend said.
“She was told if she pulled over, he would say it was her and have her charged.”
Ker had “leaped into hard substances” due to peer pressure, Friend said.
The judge noted that although Ker had a history of substance abuse, she was still young, and had the support of her father.
She had expressed remorse for her behaviour, and was making positive changes to her life, he said.
The judge sentenced her to 80 hours of community work and nine months supervision. Ker is disqualified from driving for 12 months.