Dunedin District Court
‘‘TOO often drivers try to run red lights. I don’t know why. Because this is what happens when they do,’’ Judge Dominic Flatley said when he sentenced a 21yearold man in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
Te Ahu James WebberFielding, student, of Broad Bay, had been convicted of causing injury to a person by driving at a dangerous speed.
The police summary said WebberFielding was driving at 80kmh in a 50kmh zone, in Cumberland St, about 10.45pm on October 21. Approaching traffic lights at the intersection with Frederick St, he saw the lights were red. But he deliberately tried to drive though the intersection.
As he entered the intersection on the red light, the victim entered from Frederick St on a green light.
The force of impact of the resulting collision shunted the victim’s car into a car park, narrowly missing a tree.
The victim received cuts to her arms, face and back and bruised kidneys. She and her two passengers were taken to hospital.
WebberFielding’s explanation was he was changing the radio station with his left hand and holding a cigarette in the other hand when he dropped the cigarette. He tried to retrieve it and when he looked up the lights were red and he hit the other vehicle as he went through the intersection.
WebberFielding, the holder of a restricted driver’s licence, was travelling with an associate who did not hold a driver’s licence.
Counsel Sasha Dolby said WebberFielding accepted by his early guilty plea his driving was well below what was expected ‘‘and more than careless’’. It resulted in him running a red light with simply no time to stop.
‘‘The summary says he deliberately drove through the intersection.
‘‘But it was really a matter of no option.’’
WebberFielding had one previous drivingrelated convic tion. He was cooperative with police and was willing to undergo restorative justice had it been able to proceed.
Judge Flatley said what occurred would have been very frightening for the victim, a 21yearold university student. And her studies were greatly disrupted.
But he took into account WebberFielding’s limited history and ‘‘as recorded after the accident’’ his apparent remorse and immediate concern for the victims.
WebberFielding was sentenced to four months’ community detention (curfewed 7pm7am daily), 300 hours’ community work and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Other convictions
Gaylene Ann Saunders (51), sickness beneficiary, of Palmerston, driving under influence of drug, State Highway 1, Waikouaiti, October 24, 275 hours’ community work, nine months’ supervision, disqualified 13 months (two relevant prior convictions, for drinkdriving). Public defender Sophia Thorburn said Saunders alcohol and drugfree for number of years; on medication for health issues from being hit by car in 2003; affected by medication at time of offence, medication changed.
Te Ahuru Wheki (24), forestry worker, drinkdriving (689mcg), and disqualified driving, Northeast Valley Rd, about 3am, November 12, 300 hours’ community work, 12 months’ intensive supervision (includes threemonthly judicial monitoring and requirement to undergo impaired driver programme), disqualified 10 months (one previous drinkdrive conviction, last year).
TarrynJass Lloyd (28), driving while driver’s licence suspended, Main South Rd, Rolleston, November 21, disqualified six months.
Leo Hamilton (53), of Dunedin, theft (removed 23 batteries with value of less than $500 from trailer in car sales yard; sold them to scrap metal dealer for $69), October 16 or 17, 160 hours’ community work, reparation $100.