Queenstown District Court

AN ARTHURS Point man who drove at 179kmh on the Gibbston Highway was as bad as a drinkdriver, a judge says.

Judge John BrandtsGiesen told Steven Mckenzie McDiarmid (40) his speeding on July 8 had been ‘‘outrageous’’.

McDiarmid, who was appearing on a dangerous driving charge in the Queenstown District Court yesterday, pleaded guilty after initially deciding to defend the charge.

Prosecuting Sergeant Ian Collin said the defendant’s Audi S5 convertible was clocked at 179kmh in a 100kmh speed zone at the end of a passing lane near Nevis Bluff.

The defendant told police he had been overtaking a vehicle that sped up as he went past, and found himself ‘‘in a race’’.

Sgt Collin said there had been prominent media coverage about winter driving conditions at the time of the offence.

The air temperature was freezing, and there was grit on the road.

Judge BrandtsGiesen said there were few places in Central Otago where it was safe to drive at that speed.

He fined McDiarmid $900, $130 court costs and disqualified him from driving for six months.

Discharge refused

A Wanaka man who wants to become a professional pilot has been refused a discharge without conviction for drinkdriving.

Nathan Jonathan Redai (18), packer, was caught driving in Ballantyne Rd on May 27 with a breathalcohol level of 622mcg.

Counsel Michael Walker said Redai accepted he made a ‘‘stupid’’ decision to drive, but a conviction would jeopardise his chances of getting a job in his chosen career.

He had completed 70 hours’ community work and made a donation to a charity for victims of drinkdriving.

Judge BrandtsGiesen said drinkdriving was a serious offence, and he could not ‘‘sweep such an offence as yours under the carpet’’.

The alcohol limit for drivers under 20 was zero, yet Redai’s reading was more than 50% above the adult limit.

It was unlikely a conviction would prevent the defendant becoming a pilot in New Zealand or other Commonwealth countries.

Potential employers were also likely to take account of his youth at the time of the offence, he said.

‘‘I don’t think the effects of this offending are disproportionate to what you have done.

‘‘A conviction is not an impenetrable barrier, but a hurdle to be overcome.’’

The defendant was clearly a young man of ‘‘great ability’’ with a passion for aviation.

‘‘But people with special hopes and dreams have to remember that comes with special responsibility.

‘‘That’s why trainee pilots are expected to be intelligent and to act intelligently.’’

He convicted Redai and disqualified him from driving for six months.

Community detention

A Queenstown teenager has been sentenced to five months’ community detention after admitting to three burglary charges.

Shayna Marie Hallett (19) entered an address in Earnslaw St in the resort on April 19 and May 25, stealing $30 worth of clothes.

Hallet was also found without a reasonable excuse in a yard of a premises in Mountaineer St on September 13.

Lawyer Tanya McCullum said the charges related to Hallett’s money problems.

On the third occasion, she had been looking for discarded cigarettes, she said.

Judge BrandtsGiesen said the aggravating factor was the third offence was four months after the first two, while on bail, ‘‘so any remorse can be taken with a pinch of salt’’.

‘‘You have to make a choice really whether you are going to be a recidivist offender or make a better life for yourself,’’ he said.

‘‘Your still a young person and have years and years ahead of you. You can spend those years as a criminal or as someone contributing to the community and happy.’’

Hallett, who is unemployed, was also sentenced to 12 months’ supervision with the condition she attended and complete any assessment, counselling and treatment deemed necessary by a probation officer, to include budgetary training.

Caught twice in three days

An Arrowtown man caught drinkdriving twice in three days has been sentenced to supervision and community work.

Daniel Shawn Scott (31), who works as a scaffolder, was caught with a bloodalcohol level of 110mg on Wiltshire St, Arrowtown, on August 12. The legal limit is 50mg.

Three days later, on August 15, he was stopped for dangerous driving on McBride St, Queenstown. A blood test revealed he was again over the limit, this time with 97mg.

Lawyer Tanya McCullum said Scott had no previous convictions.

Scott was sentenced to 12 months’ supervision and 150 hours’ community work. He was also disqualified for 12 months and ordered to pay $202 in medical fees.

Arrowtown assault

An Arrowtown man was fined and ordered to pay reparation after punching his flatmate.

Stephen Keith Weld (50), plasterer, admitted a charge of assaulting Alvini Antony Thomas in Arrowtown on September 15.

He was fined $400 and ordered to pay Mr Thomas $300 for emotional harm and $95 reparation for the victim’s broken glasses.