Alexandra District Court

A JUDGE has given a Clyde man a ‘‘final chance’’ to turn his life around after he crashed his car into a tree while driving drunk.

Jack Bruce (20), a roofer, appeared before Judge Dominic Flatley in the Alexandra District Court on Thursday on charges of dangerous driving causing injury to Lewis Holvey, refusing to provide a blood specimen and behaving in an offensive manner in public, all in Alexandra on April 20.

Judge Flatley said Bruce was seen driving on the wrong side of the road and speeding before he veered off the road and hit a tree.

Witnesses described him as drunk, aggressive and ‘‘disconnected’’, and they were afraid of offering to help him.

When police arrived he was uncooperative and ‘‘reeked of alcohol’’.

‘‘This was appalling behaviour on your part. You put the lives of others at risk — not only your passenger but those nearby,’’ Judge Flatley said. ‘‘You could’ve killed somebody.’’ Bruce was sentenced to 15 months’ intensive supervision for intervention for any drug or alcohol issues, a daily curfew from 7.30pm until 5.30am, six months’ community detention and 100 hours’ community work. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.

‘‘You need to sort yourself out — you need to change,’’ Judge Flatley said.

‘‘This is your final chance.’’

Domestic assault

Rodger Douglas Brown (53), of Roxburgh, was sentenced on a charge of injuring his former partner with intent to injure, in Roxburgh, on April 7.

Judge Flatley said Brown had recently separated from the victim, and she had gone to his home to pick up belongings.

He immediately confronted her in the driveway and told her to leave.

A verbal argument continued after she went inside, and he ‘‘grabbed her by the throat’’ for a few seconds and pushed her into a wall.

A presentence report said he felt ‘‘genuine remorse’’ about his behaviour, and had been undergoing counselling to deal with anger issues.

He had apologised to the victim at a restorative justice meeting, and they had ‘‘moved on’’ from the incident.

However, assaults involving strangulation raised ‘‘red flags’’ with the judiciary because they showed a propensity for more serious violence, Judge Flatley said.

He sentenced Brown to 175 hours’ community work and 12 months’ supervision. Special conditions include attending a stopping violence programme and assessment for drug or alcohol issues.

Other convictions

Cameron Maurice Small (18), farm hand, of Kurow, drinkdriving, 451mcg, Lindis PassTarras Rd, August 13, fined $1500, court costs $130, disqualified eight months.

Shaedyn Lee Hardy (21), of Alexandra, drinkdriving, 852mcg, Centennial Ave, August 25, fined $900, court costs $130, disqualified for 28 days or until an alcohol interlock device can be fitted.

Malcolm Reginald Bruce Taylor (55), farmer, of Springvale, drinkdriving, 600mcg, OmakauChatto Ck Rd, July 28, fined $650, court costs $130, disqualified six months.

Karl William Blackie (50), of Kurow, drinkdriving, 773mcg, State Highway 8 Bendigo, June 22, fined $850, court costs $130, disqualified six months.

Stewart John McConnell (44), farm worker, of Cambrians, drinkdriving, 802mcg (fourth conviction), Cambrian Rd, Omakau, July 5, fined $1000, court costs $130, disqualified for 28 days or until an alcohol interlock device can be fitted, six months’ supervision for drug and alcohol treatment.

Krystan Jan Tall (35), bar and restaurant ownermanager, of Cromwell, drinkdriving, 200mg, Waenga Dr, May 5, 150 hours’ community work, 12 months’ intensive supervision for intervention for drug and alcohol issues, disqualified for 28 days or until an alcohol interlock device can be fitted, ordered to pay $187.17 analyst and medical fees.

Hudson Richard Steele (33), of Cromwell, drinkdriving, 1394mcg, Murray Tce, May 18, 175 hours’ community work, 12 months’ intensive supervision with judicial monitoring for an alcohol assessment, disqualified for 28 days or until an alcohol interlock device can be fitted.

Laban Calib Petera Perry (25), of Ranfurly, intentional damage to a sports field, driving while forbidden and sustained loss of traction, all in Ranfurly on September 2, 100 hours’ community work, disqualified six months and ordered to pay $1050 reparation to the Central Otago District Council.

Connor James Williams (18), building labourer, of Mount Pisa, driving while disqualified, Bannockburn Rd, July 22, fined $250, court costs $130, disqualified six months.