Police have mixed verdict on festival drivers

SENTENCES imposed by Judge John BrandtsGiesen in the Invercargill District Court on Thursday were. —

Levi James Brian Smith (33), of Invercargill, intentional damage, Hamilton, May 10; trespass, Invercargill, August 10; unlawfully on a property, Invercargill August 11; disorderly behaviour, Invercargill, intentional damager, Invercargill, August 22; 15 months’ intensive supervision (judicially monitored), $342.86 reparation.

Shane Aaron Adams (32), of Invercargill, two charges of breach of protection order, assault on person in family relationship, Invercargill, August 17, four months’ home detention (judicially monitored).

Lennard Haven Sciascia (36), Invercargill, breach of bail, Hastings, June 23, 2021; breach of release conditions, Hastings, October 8, 2021; breach of release conditions, Hastings, October 14, 2021; assault of person in family relationship, Invercargill, October 20, 2021; 80 hours’ community work.

POLICE had a mixed verdict on its operations around Alexandra Blossom Festival last weekend.

Over the three days of the festival, from September 2325, police checked more than 1200 drivers and it was pleased to find most drivers were keeping safe.

Checkpoints were set up in Ettrick and Cromwell during the period, and there was increased police presence on the roads.

Generally those stopped were found to be complying with the law.

However, it was disappointing to find the message about road safety was still not getting through, Southern District road policing manager

Inspector James Ure said.

‘‘Thirty offences were detected and ticketed in the threeday period, including four occasions in which drivers were dangerously impaired by alcohol, returning evidential breath alcohol tests in excess of the legal limit.

‘‘While that number might not seem so high out of 1200 vehicles, that’s 30 cases where safety has been compromised, and someone’s life potentially put at risk.

‘‘We are asking you again — please, buckle up, put down the mobile phone, slow down; and if you’ve been drinking, using drugs, or you’re excessively tired, please don’t get behind the wheel.

‘‘It might save your life.’’