Dunedin District Court
‘‘YOU’RE getting too old for this kind of thing,’’ Judge Thomas Ingram said in sentencing a 41yearold man.
Cory John Wayne Ferguson was before the Dunedin District Court yesterday convicted of driving with a breathalcohol level of 755mcg, and while disqualified, on May 6; and threatening to injure a woman knowing his conduct was likely to frighten her, on May 7.
He had pleaded guilty.
The police summary said Ferguson was driving in Easther Cres about 10.15am on May 6.
A concerned family member called police. Ferguson admitted knowing he was disqualified and drinking the previous night.
The threatening offence on May 7 was from Ferguson ‘‘losing his rag’’ at the handover of children, the judge noted.
Ferguson’s three previous drinkdrive convictions were in 2007, 2005 and 1996. His last conviction for disqualified driving was in 2012, the judge said.
Describing the probation report as ‘‘right on the money’’, the judge asked court probation officer Jeremy Burdett to pass on what a good job had been done.
In keeping with the report writer’s recommendation, the judge sentenced Ferguson to six months’ community detention (curfewed 7pm7am daily) and 18 months’ intensive supervision on the driving charges. At present indefinitely disqualified, he also received a 15month disqualification on those charges.
The threatening charge brought 18 months’ intensive supervision (concurrent).
Other convictions
Cheyenne Dallas Tohini (36), scaffolder, of Dunedin, drinkdriving, 1002mcg (at home, intoxicated, wanted to go to fast food outlet, got into associate’s vehicle, due to level of intoxication could continue no further than about 2m on to road, at which stage fell asleep, vehicle blocking road, pedestrian called police, Tohini in driver’s seat with vehicle engine running, lights on, keys in ignition), about 10.45pm, April 27, 12 months’ supervision, disqualified indefinitely (zero alcohol provisions when gets licence back). Tohini had one previous drinkdrive conviction, in 2013.
Craig Albert Davis (39), electrician, of Dunedin, drinkdriving (stopped for random breath test, admitted drinking beer and bourbon, said he was driving home, no previous convictions), 697mcg, 1.20am, July 18, South Rd, fined $450, court costs $130, six months’ disqualification.
Gemma Irene Desley Clarke (25), of Dunedin, drinkdriving (stopped for random breath test, said she was driving to friend’s house, duty lawyer Ann Leonard said the woman had been drinking with friends, had waited 45 minutes ‘‘in the cold and rain’’ and succumbed to peer pressure and decided to drive home), 600mcg, 3.40am, June 24, South Rd, fined $150, court costs $130, six months’ disqualification.
Kayla Marie Graves (22), shop assistant, of Balclutha, drinkdriving (stopped by police, admitted drinking; defence counsel Steve Turner said Graves had been drinking at home and was then asked by friend to pick them up), 545mcg, 9.55pm, July 21, Hasborough Pl, fined $300, court costs $130, six months’ disqualification.
Ashleigh Carr (26), of Milton, driving while suspended (suspended in June for excess demerit points, driving Toyota, recognised as being suspended, pulled over, said she tried to get a lift but there was no other way; counsel Nathan Laws said the defendant had separated from her partner 18 months earlier and was on her way to Dunedin to get legal advice, Judge Ingram accepted the explanation and found special reasons to impose no further disqualification), 1.35pm, July 17, Waihola, fined $75, court costs $130 (suspended until August 30).
CoryLee Allen (21), of Dunedin, intimidation (asked victim to move out of their flat, began argument via Facebook Messenger, Allen said he would ‘‘put 9mm of chrome’’ in the victim and his partner, admitted sending message, claimed it was ‘‘just a threat to scare them’’; Judge Ingram noted defendant had 21 convictions to his name, ‘‘you really haven’t got your act together, have you?’’), July 17, 80 hours’ community work, nine months’ supervision. Katherine Jane Thomas (42), hairdresser, of Dunedin, assault (at 2.30am at a bar in the Octagon, Thomas saw victim standing beside her partner, approached from behind, said ‘‘oh, no you don’t’’, grabbed her hair, pulled, causing her to fall backwards, pair were separated by associates, victim asked her why and she would not explain, Thomas told police she was dancing and her fingers got tangled in the victim’s hair, counsel Anne Leonard said the woman accepted she had overreacted), May 13, $200 emotional harm reparation.
Reon John Ormiston (29), of Dunedin, theft and resisting police (grabbed two bottles bourbon from BottleO, did not attempt to pay, immediately ran off; found in Moray Pl in possession of the bourbon, arrested for theft, said not going to jail, sprinted away, found soon after in Dunbar St, resisted arrest, bourbon recovered, no reparation sought), about 4.30pm, December 10, sentence deferred six months. Public defender Andrew Dawson said Ormiston sorry for way he interacted with police, had head injury from accident some years ago, no previous convictions.