Dunedin District Court

A CRASH in which a power pole was destroyed by a speeding drinkdriver brought a 31yearold man for sentence in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.

Judge Kevin Phillips described the driving as ‘‘absolutely appalling’’.

‘‘The power pole was written off. And you were taken to hospital with serious injuries,’’ he told Anthony Mark Jackson (31), of Dunedin.

Jackson had been convicted of driving with a breathalcohol level of 129mg, and in a manner which might have been dangerous to the public, on March 3.

The judge said Jackson lost control when driving on Gladstone Rd, Mosgiel, at a very high speed ‘‘found to be at least 130kmh’’, about 3am. The car crossed the centre line and rotated clockwise towards the right side of the road. Jackson regained some control and straightened up before hitting a concrete power pole.

His explanation to police was he was having some personal issues.

Counsel Elliot Higbee said Jackson had an extensive history which included one previous conviction for drinkdriving (in 2009). The presentence report said he had insight into his offending and low likelihood of reoffending. Guaranteed employment next month would assist in paying reparation.

For drinkdriving, Jackson was sentenced to four months’ community detention (curfewed 7pm7am daily), nine months’ supervision and disqualified from driving for a year.

Dangerous driving brought concurrent sentences of two months’ community detention and eight months’ disqualification.

Jackson is also to pay $10,000 reparation in sixmonthly lump sums, the first being $4000 on December 31.

Other convictions

A Jamie Robin Laing (25), of Waikouaiti, wilful damage (after an argument the previous day, Laing went to house of his then partner, punched holes in the walls, ripped off shelving, punched a window), assaulting a female (woman called police, Laing backed her into a corner, grabbed her by throat for five seconds, dropped her to the ground, defendant took her car keys, she wrestled them back off him, fled to neighbours), resisting police (police stopped in remote area to allow Laing to relieve himself, he struggled and tried to get away from officers, had to be restrained and calmed before taken to station; defence counsel Cate Andersen said her client had paid the reparation of more than $4000 and planned to relocate to Timaru to work on an onion farm), April 17, 10 months’ imprisonment, protection order in favour of victim.

A James David Knopp (32), courier, of Dunedin, possession of utensils for consuming cannabis (a pipe and a plastic bong), February 22; cultivated cannabis (police found three plants outside the defendant’s bedroom window, two were in a poor condition, the third was 40cm tall and starting to bud), February 122; selling cannabis (Knopp would sell cannabis, ‘‘tick list’’ found at his house noting drug debtors, police found $7600 cash in a shoe under his bed; defence counsel Anne Stevens said he sold the class C drug to ‘‘people of a like mind’’, he was now addressing his cannabis dependency), December 21February 22, six months’ home detention, 160 hours’ community work.

A Rosemary Ann Middlemiss (55), labourer, of Dunedin, drinkdriving, 847mcg, Jensen St, about 11.30pm, November 17 last year, four months’ home detention (with six months’ postdetention conditions to follow), 150 hours’ community work, disqualified one year and two months. Judge said the conviction defendant’s fifth of a like kind; the only thing saving her from prison was last such conviction was in 2008.

A Richard Dean Grigg (23), employed, of Dunedin, causing injury to male while under influence of drink to such extent as to be incapable of having proper control of vehicle (driving in Norwood St, lost control, vehicle left road, struck fence post, letterbox and boulder, came to rest about 10m from point of impact; victim, 21yearold front seat passenger, received broken right ankle; analysis of blood sample showed Grigg’s alcohol level 140mg), November 21, four months’ home detention (with six months’ postdetention conditions), 120 hours’ community work, reparation $802.40 (for damage), disqualified one year and two months. Counsel Steve Turner said Grigg now alcoholfree ‘‘has talked the talk and walked the walk’’ dealing with the key factor behind his offending; had also saved $500 towards reparation.

A Lachlan James McCabe (20), employed, of Dunedin, drinkdriving, and in enclosed yard without reasonable excuse (McCabe driving in FlagstaffWhare Flat Rd, vehicle broke down, McCabe walked short distance, entered victim’s property, victim heard noise come from outside, called police when saw McCabe running from address; police found him nearby, breathtested, alcohol level 629mcg), about 2am, March 15, drinkdriving, 120 hours’ community work, disqualified nine months; enclosed yard offence, 50 hours’ community work (concurrent). Judge noted McCabe convicted (March 29 this year) for drinkdriving aged under 20 on June 24 last year.

A Marc PalmerBlack (19), unemployed, of Dunedin, driving while suspended (PalmerBlack was suspended for three months on April 19, defendant was stopped by police, unable to produce a licence, inquiries found he was suspended; Judge Phillips called the decision to drive with two weeks until his licence was returned ‘‘downright dumb’’), 5am, July 6, Harbour Tce, 40 hours’ community work, six months’ disqualification.