‘Vandal’ loses cash . . . and car
A 20-year-old has already paid $1644 for repairs after wrecking the sports fields at Christchurch’s Burnside Park. On Monday, he will hand over his car as well.
Christchurch District Court Judge Tony Couch described Thomas Liam Carruth’s antics as ‘‘wanton vandalism’’ of several soccer fields and a cricket block, on the night of August 4.
‘‘The damage was severe,’’ the judge said.
‘‘The grounds could not be used for several weeks until repairs could be completed. This impacted not only on the owner of the grounds but also on the many members of the public who would otherwise have played sports on them.’’
Carruth, a St Albans steel worker, appeared for sentence on Thursday after pleading guilty to charges of intentional damage of the grounds, driving with a sustained loss of traction, and driving with excess breath-alcohol.
Defence counsel Phil Shamy said Carruth had already paid some money for the damage he did.
He said Carruth now accepted that alcohol had been a ‘‘core problem’’ and he was taking steps to deal with the issue.
He realised the penalties would involve indefinite disqualification from driving and the loss of his vehicle.
Judge Couch said Carruth was with two others at the park late on August 4, when it had been raining and the ground was soft.
He drove his utility vehicle all over the grounds for 15 to 20 minutes, revving the engine and spinning the wheels. His driving caused deep gouges in the surface.
When police caught him, he recorded a level of 659 micrograms of alcohol to a litre of breath. The legal limit is 250mcg.
The judge noted Carruth had two previous alcohol-driving convictions, but said community detention could be allowed because of his age and limited criminal history.
Judge Couch imposed four months of community detention, with a nightly curfew, 100 hours of community work, and supervision for a year.
He disqualified Carruth from driving indefinitely and said a zero-alcohol licence would apply when he got his licence back. He made the order for him to pay
$1644 for the damage, and to confiscate his vehicle, which must be handed over to the authorities by
4pm on Monday.