Queenstown District Court
A MAN caught driving with a breathalcohol level of 1241mcg — 991mcg over the legal limit — at Jacks Point at 11.10am on February 8 has been sentenced to six months’ supervision.
James Irvine Hogg (29), of Jacks Point, was stopped by police on McAdam Dr and provided no explanation at the time.
Defence counsel Liam Collins told Judge Bernadette Farnan in the Queenstown District Court on Monday Hogg was ‘‘extremely remorseful’’, shocked at himself and at his breathalcohol level.
He had immediately sought help and attended an AA meeting as well as undertaking voluntary community work.
Judge Farnan said it was not possible to have that kind of breathalcohol level at that time of day without having a ‘‘serious problem with alcohol’’.
‘‘I understand why you’re shocked and I’m pleased you’re shocked.
‘‘This was an appalling level — you could have killed yourself or someone else.’’
A special condition of supervision was to attend and complete any counselling as directed.
He was also disqualified from driving for nine months.
False complaint
A Dutch tourist who had been ‘‘unlucky’’ in New Zealand was fined $250 for making a false statement to police on February 15 at Wanaka.
Renee van Schaik (27), of the Netherlands, told Wanaka Police while she was sleeping on a beach someone had stolen her back pack containing a variety of items, including her laptop, portable hard drive and camera, worth about $3000, and intended to make an insurance claim.
The following day police visited the property she was staying at, searched the premises and found all the items.
In explanation, van Schaik said she was going to make the claim to get money because she had been ‘‘very unlucky’’.
Lawyer Tanya Surrey told Judge Farnan her offending was borne out of a ‘‘desperate situation’’.
‘‘This is not the kind of thing she would ordinarily do.
‘‘It’s extremely out of character for her.’’
Ms Surrey said van Schaik bought a car for $2000 when she arrived in New Zealand — it broke down shortly after, leaving her out of pocket.
She was then ‘‘scammed’’ by someone who said they would fix the vehicle for $2000. After she payed them the money they disappeared, leaving her $4000 out of pocket and ‘‘extremely stressed’’. Judge Farnan said van Schaik’s offending went to the ‘‘heart of making life difficult for the police’’ and ordered her to pay $130 court costs.
Other convictions
Rosemary Davidson (60), of Frankton, disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence on a bus, February 6 at Queenstown, six months’ supervision with a special condition to attend and complete any counselling as directed.
Courtney Lauren Wake (26), waitress, of Queenstown, assaulted Eamonn McGarry, February 10, six months’ supervision with special condition to attend and complete alcohol and drug counselling and any other counselling treatment or programme as directed.
Jonathan Gerard Knox (28), carpenter, of Queenstown, drinkdriving, 582mcg, Robins Rd, February 18, fined $590, court costs $130, disqualified six months.
Kellen Albert Lee Rabbidge (18), builder, of Twizel, driving while suspended, Tucker Beach Rd, February 10 at Queenstown, fined $250, court costs $130, disqualified six months from April 27.
Anthony Joseph O’Rourke (33), plumber, of Queenstown, drinkdriving, 705mcg, Hallenstein St, February 12, fined $700, court costs $130, disqualified six months.