Queenstown District Court

A 30YEAROLD engineer has been ordered to pay more than $6000 reparation to the owners of three vehicles he hit while drinkdriving in Lake Hayes Estate in April.

Robert Duncan Whitelaw (30), engineer, of Lake Hayes, was also sentenced to supervision and community work for two separate dangerous driving charges.

Prosecuting Sergeant Ian Collin said on March 20 Whitelaw was riding a motorcycle on State Highway 6 towards Gibbston, in a 100kmh zone, when he overtook a bus on double yellow lines, causing oncoming motorists to take evasive action.

On April 21, he was driving a Nissan vehicle in Lake Hayes Estate, having been drinking.

He was travelling about 65kmh and at some point looked at his cell phone.

His vehicle veered to the left and he hit three parked cars.

The noise caused several residents to rush outside where he was found ‘‘sitting on the ground’’.

He was urged to remain at the scene, but instead got up and walked about 200m to his home.

Police carried out a breath test, which gave a reading of 851mcg.

Judge Mark Callaghan said Whitelaw was ‘‘remorseful and apologetic’’.

At the time, he was on medication and had now learned about mixing alcohol with that medication.

One of the vehicles had been written off and the owner had no means of purchasing another.

Two others had insurance but also sought reparation.

Judge Callaghan said a presentence report recommended supervision, but he felt that was ‘‘not a sufficient penalty’’.

‘‘You need to put something back into the community for your wanton disregard for driving contrary to what the law permits.’’

On each charge he was sentenced to 12 months supervision with special conditions; 80 hours’ community work and was disqualified for 10 months, to be served concurrently.

He was also ordered to pay three sums of reparation, totalling $6295 at $100 per week.