Dunedin District Court
SENTENCES imposed by Judge Michael Turner in the Dunedin District Court yesterday were. —
Wayne Eric McLachlan (67), of Dunedin, drinkdriving, 248mg, and careless driving (drinking at home, drove short distance to Brockville shops, denied service because intoxicated, drove to Fresh Choice Roslyn, did so extremely slowly, crossed centre line several times, stopped in middle of Stuart St before turning on to Highgate and entering Fresh Choice car park, parked and entered supermarket where located by police; in explanation stated he thought he would be under the limit and able to drive), April 26, six weeks’ community detention (curfewed 6pm Fridays to 6am Mondays), medical and analyst’s expenses $217, nine months’ supervision, disqualified one year and six months (zeroalcohol licence provisions to follow). Counsel Jo Turner said McLachlan had been through detoxification, now alcoholfree and committed to remaining alcoholfree, his car now sold, no intention of owning a car again. Judge noted McLachlan’s two previous drinkdrive convictions were in 1999 and 2001.
Michael Allen Wilson (56), beneficiary, of Dunedin, refusing blood specimen, and assaulting constable (driving down Mulford St towards Morton St, lost control on 90degree corner, resulting in his vehicle rolling on to its roof, got himself out of vehicle, walked off down Morton St, police and ambulance contacted, told ambulance staff he had had a few beers and was going to get some fish and chips, at hospital refused to give blood specimen, abusive to police, arrested, became violent, had to be restrained, lashed out, kicked constable in chest, constable not injured), about 8.45pm, February 12, overall penalty, two months’ community detention (curfewed 6pm Fridays to 6am Mondays), six months’ supervision, disqualified one year and one day; unpaid fines ($1980.16) remitted, replaced with one month’s community detention (making total term three months). Counsel Steve Turner said the head injury might explain Wilson’s behaviour after the crash; he felt pretty bad about it, expressed remorse, was assessed as being at low risk of reoffending. Judge noted Wilson’s previous drinkdrive convictions dated back to 1991.
Ioana Aila Taufalele (19), student, disqualified driving (disqualified for three months, August 20; pulled over by police in Forth St, about 6.35pm, September 5; said he was driving to polytechnic to study), fined $400, disqualified six months (from November 20 at end of current ban). Counsel Deborah Henderson said Taufalele had no real reason to drive, ‘‘just made a bad decision . . . regrets that now’’). Taufalele appeared before Judge Jim Large.
Sentenced by Judge Turner last week. —
Kym Eiola Scott (41), aggravated drinkdriving, 1204mcg (fifth such conviction, police received complaints of Nissan crossing centre line and passing on double yellow lines, pulled over and police arrived, said she had two beers, defence counsel Ann Leonard said her client’s last relevant conviction was in 2007, that her client had been impacted by violence and was driving to a friend to feel safe, the offending occurred around the anniversary of her daughter’s death), July 19, State Highway 1 at Longbush, 70 hours’ community work, six months’ supervision, 28 days’ disqualification followed by interlock licence.
Tuhira Warren Rawiri (42), of Mosgiel, aggravated driving while disqualified (stopped by police, unable to produce licence, checks revealed defendant was disqualified, told police he was driving as his passenger did not have full licence, judge accepted there had been no fault in defendant’s driving ability), 12.28pm, May 31, State Highway 94 at Riversdale, three months’ home detention, one year and one day disqualification.