Drugged drivers nabbed by cops
Concerned citizens played a key role in catching two drug-affected people driving on Taranaki roads.
On February 24, about 3pm, witnesses watched on as Michelle Chapman-Stone struggled to make her way through the traffic islands positioned on New Plymouth’s Mill Rd.
Her car mounted each of the two humps before coming to a stop and partially blocking the road. Another motorist, worried about Chapman-Stone’s driving, approached the defendant’s vehicle to find her slumped over.
Police were called and the 45-year-old underwent an evidential blood test which returned a positive result for methamphetamine and methadone.
Chapman-Stone previously pleaded guilty to driving with blood containing evidence of a drug.
At her sentencing on Monday, defence lawyer Julian Hannam said the defendant had a longstanding drug addiction which she struggled to deal with.
He sought a sentence of supervision for the offending but Sergeant Lewis Sutton argued this was not enough of a deterrent.
Sutton said a punitive element, like community detention, should also be imposed.
Judge David Cameron told the New Plymouth District Court the defendant had two previous convictions for drink-driving, the last being in 2012.
He sentenced her to nine months’ supervision, along with 80 hours of community work.
A driving disqualification of one year and one day was also imposed and Chapman-Stone was ordered to pay $762.63 to the police for costs associated with the medical fees and drug analysis required for the blood test.
Meanwhile, a diligent Taranaki driver also helped police nab Peter Jon Smith, who was found to be behind the wheel with cannabis in his system.
The court heard that on August 23, about 4.20pm, Smith was in Oakura when a passing motorist saw him standing by the side of the road, urinating.
Judge Cameron said as Smith appeared unsteady on his feet, the other driver decided to follow Smith as the defendant drove away.
The witness observed Smith cross the double yellow lines several times and travel at speeds between 80-120 kilometres an hour.
Police were notified and officers found the 35-year-old at home. A blood test was subsequently taken which revealed he had taken the class C drug.
Smith previously pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs.
Lawyer Turitea Bolstad said Smith’s last court appearance was in 2011 and he was motivated to address his issues.
Judge Cameron said Smith, who has four previous drinkdrive convictions, was deemed a low reoffending risk but had admitted to a probation officer that he regularly used cannabis and its synthetic equivalent.
Smith was ordered to complete 80 hours of community work along with nine months’ supervision. He was banned from driving for one year and one day and ordered to pay medical costs associated with his blood test.