Queenstown District Court

ANOTHER 11 people were handed convictions for drinkdriving in the Queenstown District Court yesterday, including one man who Judge Bernadette Farnan said ‘‘takes the cake’’.

Peter Selwyn Frederick Thompson (39), farmer, of Ashburton, admitted a charge of attempting to drive on Camp St on November 12 with a breathalcohol level of 841mcg.

Prosecuting Sergeant Ian Collin said the vehicle was parked outside the Queenstown police station and was heard revving on numerous occasions.

Thompson told police he did not intend to drive but was ‘‘trying to attract the attention of his sober driver’’.

Duty lawyer Tanya Surrey said it was cold at the time and Thompson had turned the car on to ‘‘get the heating going while they waited’’.

Judge Farnan said the chance of Thompson being caught was ‘‘probably 101%’’.

He was fined $900, ordered to pay $130 court costs and dis qualified for six months.

Sunshine Bay caregiver Samuel Mark Yeoward (20), was also fined $900 after admitting drinkdriving on Main South Road, Burnham, on October 20.

Sgt Collin said Yeoward had been socialising in Queenstown before driving to Christchurch for a function. He was stopped by police at 9.05am and a breath test gave a reading of 889mcg.

Defence counsel Louise Denton said Yeoward had been out drinking and had ‘‘a large night by his own account’’.

He and an associate left for Christchurch about 1am — his associate drove while Yeoward slept.

‘‘He felt fine [to drive] but obviously he was absolutely not,’’ Ms Denton said.

‘‘He completely misjudged it.’’

Judge Farnan disqualified Yeoward for seven months and also ordered him to pay $130 court costs.

Chloe Alison Johnston (27), of Frankton, was fined $900 and disqualified for seven months after admitting drinkdriving with a breathalcohol level of 857mcg on Frankton Road on November 12.

Sgt Collin said police stopped Johnston at 3.12am after she was observed exceeding the speed limit.

She told police she was heading home after having a ‘‘few drinks’’.

Ms Surrey described it as a ‘‘oneoff’ and said Johnston hadn’t eaten all day and had gone out with friends after finishing work.

Judge Farnan said it appeared ‘‘noone in this town is getting the drinkdriving message’’.

Johnston was the fifth person dealt with for drinkdriving in less than 60 minutes yesterday.

‘‘If you’re out socialising in some bars . . . there are all sorts of food available. Not eating is not an appropriate explanation.’’

She was also ordered to pay $130 court costs.