Dunedin District Court
AGGRAVATING factors were the very high bloodalcohol reading, there being an accident and defendant having three previous drinkdrive convictions, Judge Michael Crosbie said sentencing a woman in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
Carole Florence O’Neill (49), solo parent and parttime cafe worker, of Kuri Bush, had been convicted of driving with a bloodalcohol level of 217mg, and driving carelessly and while forbidden, in Taieri Mouth Rd on December 10.
Reviewing the facts, the judge said O’Neill lost control on a straight section of road and crossed the centre line twice, about 9.15pm. Her vehicle hit a pole before coming to a stop in a ditch.
O’Neill was remorseful and pleaded guilty, the judge noted.
Her previous relevant convictions were in 1998, 2000 and 2008, he said.
‘‘Just, and only just,’’ allowed to remain in the community, O’Neill was sentenced to four months’ and two weeks’ home detention and disqualified from driving for 18 months for drinkdriving. On completion of half of the sentence, provisional on a positive assessment by probation, she has leave to apply for the balance to be converted to community detention and community work. And she is to pay court costs $130, and an analyst’s fee of $109.60.
Careless and forbidden driving each resulted in conviction and discharge.
Breached protection order
When 33yearold Che Akuhata James Cooper (33), of Dunedin, appeared counsel Rhona Daysh said he had been offending for about half of his life.
‘‘He says he has spent 11 years in custody, all up.’’
Cooper was for sentence convicted of breaching a protection order by remaining in a building occupied by the protected person without the person’s consent, on March 11.
He had pleaded guilty.
Ms Daysh said it was very clear to her Cooper was intent on change.
‘‘He is trying to do the right thing and believes he is maturing. He is having psychological counselling and has been attending Stopping Violence for the past four months.’’
Dealing with Cooper ‘‘just short of prison’’, the judge told him ‘‘you are going to need an ankle bracelet’’.
He was sentenced to four months’ and two weeks’ home detention (with six months’ postdetention conditions and, if the first half of the sentence is done well, he can apply to have the balance commuted to community detention and community work).
Other conviction
A Grant William Little (57), employed, of Dunedin, benefit fraud — one charge wilful omission, three charges of making false statement (as result of underdeclaring income, between October 10, 2016 and March 2 last year, and March 28 and August 6 last year, received overpayment of job seeker support benefit, accommodation supplement and temporary additional support amounting to $6908.09), 200 hours’ community work (each charge, concurrent), reparation as ordered (paying $30 a week by deduction from his wages, judge told).