Smashed TV ends in drink-driving crash

A man who had spent $7500 on a new TV set enlisted the help of a mate to set it up in his Taranaki home over a few drinks.

But when the mate dropped the TV and broke it, an infuriated and over-the-limit Dean Ellery decided to cool off with a motorbike ride – only to crash.

Defence lawyer Kylie Pascoe told the New Plymouth District Court on Monday that her client had no earlier intention to drive while under the influence but was angered by the broken TV.

‘‘That’s what prompted Mr Ellery to choose to leave the address and take some of the pressure off,’’ she said. ‘‘He made that stupid decision to ride his motorbike under the influence.’’

According to a police summary of facts, Ellery, who does not hold a current motorcycle licence, was riding his 1300cc Harley Davidson along New Plymouth’s Devon St West at excessive speed about 6.45pm on July 14.

He passed multiple vehicles through a road works area, which had a temporary speed limit of 30 kmh. Moments later, he attempted to turn right on to Nga¯ motu Rd but cut the corner at speed, entered the wrong lane and crashed into a centre island. He was transported to hospital for treatment. While there, a blood sample was taken which showed a reading of 172 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 50mg.

Pascoe acknowledged the level was unacceptable and said Ellery too felt that way, and had made recent comments about how thankful he was it was only himself who was injured. He had sustained considerable nerve damage and was due to undergo further surgery next week.

Pascoe invited Judge Chris Sygrove to hand down a sentence of community detention coupled with an alcohol interlock device.

While he had previously appeared before the court, she said Ellery had spent the past eight years taking steps to turn his life around.

Judge Sygrove told Ellery his actions were a fall from grace – but not a great one. ‘‘You’ve suffered yourself by way of your injuries which is a considerable penalty on its own,’’ he said.

‘‘You have a substantial criminal history but to your credit you have pulled your bootstraps up, if I can put it that way, and decided to put that all behind you.’’

On a charge each of driving in a dangerous manner and driving with excess blood alcohol, Judge Sygrove sentenced Ellery to three months’ community detention.