QUEENSTOWN DISTRICT COURT

A CROMWELL man who overtook an offduty police officer at high speed on the Gibbston Highway in May has been fined and disqualified from driving for six months.

Daniel Martin Nolan (29), a builder, at his judgealone trial in the Queenstown District Court this week, denied a charge of driving in a manner that might have been dangerous to the public.

Giving evidence, Detective Sergeant Brian Cameron said he was driving from Cromwell to Queenstown police station on May 19 when Nolan’s car overtook him near the intersection of the highway and Gibbston Back Rd about 7am.

The defendant also overtook the vehicle in front of Det Sgt Cameron during the same manoeuvre.

Det Sgt Cameron said when he first noticed he was being passed, Nolan was on broken yellow ‘‘nopassing’’ lines. He estimated the defendant’s speed at 140kmh.

After cresting a rise, Nolan overtook a third vehicle, beginning the manoeuvre on unbroken double yellow lines.

Nolan was stopped by police after Det Sgt Cameron rang *555 to report the incident.

Under crossexamination, he agreed it was ‘‘likely’’ Nolan’s car was on white lines when he began the manoeuvre.

He also agreed his view of the defendant’s driving after he was overtaken had been restricted by the vehicle in front.

In a dashcam video played to the court, Nolan described his version of events as he drove along the stretch of road in question.

He claimed he overtook the complainant only because the latter had been driving at 80kmh. He estimated his Holden Commodore SV8’s speed during the manoeuvre at 115kmh.

Judge BrandtsGiesen said he preferred Det Sgt Cameron’s evidence to the defendant’s, as he had ‘‘no axe to grind’’ and was a former traffic officer with a long experience of driving matters.

During the first overtaking manoeuvre, it was likely Nolan had been driving 40kmh to 50kmh faster than Det Sgt Cameron, who had said he was driving at 100kmh.

Nolan’s speed was ‘‘dangerous in the circumstances’’ and, combined with other factors such as darkness and the presence of driveways and side roads, created a ‘‘cocktail of potential danger’’.

Nolan was convicted, fined $400 with court costs $130, and disqualified from driving for six months.

Other convictions

Hee Yong Kim (31), lawyer, of Sydney, male assaults female, Queenstown, September 18, fined $1000, court costs $130, ordered to pay the victim $1000 for emotional harm and $318 for her return flight to Australia.

Jack Edwin Rigby (27), builder, of Lake Hawea, breach of a limited licence, Wanaka, May 16, sentenced to six months’ supervision and 120 hours’ community work.

Matthew James Robertson (25), builder, of Wanaka, using someone else’s credit card dishonestly, Wanaka, June 30, fined $500, reparation $156, court costs $130.

Thomas Lloyd Pardoe (27), labourer, of Wanaka, failing to stop and drinkdriving, 136mg, Outlet Rd, Wanaka, August 19, fined $1150, court costs $130, analyst fee $182, disqualified for nine months.

Ivan Alan Fraser Sleight (42), of Luggate, drinkdriving 860mcg, Jacks Pass Rd, Hanmer, August 18, fined $1000, court costs $130, disqualified seven months.

Jack Surcouf (27), kitchen hand, of Wanaka, drinkdriving, 582mcg, Lakeside Rd, Wanaka, August 19, fined $650, court costs $130, disqualified six months.

Jiordan Elizabeth Hall (21), of Queenstown, drinkdriving, 518mcg, Ballarat St, Queenstown, September 13, $650, court costs $130, disqualified six months.

Dominic O’Reilly Jones (28), builder, of Frankton, drinkdriving, 86mg, Stanley St, March 8, fined $500, court costs $130, disqualified six months.

Giuliano Parisi (27), plumber, of Queenstown, drinkdriving, 593mcg, Frankton Rd, September 14, fined $650, court costs $130, disqualified six months.

Jai Welsh Baxter (31), blocklayer, of Wanaka, drinkdriving, 458mcg, Ballantyne Rd, Wanaka, August 27, fined $450, court costs $130, disqualified six months.

Cornelius Bol (23), bouncer, of Queenstown, drinkdriving, 739mcg, Stanley St, September 13, fined $700, court costs $130, disqualified seven months.