Man fined, disqualified after admitting drinkdriving

AN OLDER brother of Wanaka snowboarder Zoi SadowskiSynnott was convicted of drinkdriving yesterday — the day after his sister won gold at the X Games.

Dylan SadowskiSynnott (21), painter and decorator, of Albert Town, admitted charges of driving with a breathalcohol level of 838mcg and careless driving last month when he appeared before Judge John BrandtsGiesen in the Queenstown District Court.

On December 12, about 10pm, he was driving alone on a straight stretch of Maungawera Valley Rd, near Albert Town, when he veered off the road, crossed a grass verge and struck a transformer box, cutting power to properties in the area and damaging a fence.

He drove on, but was stopped by police while driving in the opposite direction soon after.

He had drunk about three pints at a Wanaka bar, driven home, then gone out again to buy food, he later told police.

He claimed to have no recollection of the latter journey.

His lawyer, Joseph Mooney, told the judge the defendant had taken responsibility for his actions and repaired the fence.

The judge told the defendant he had put others at risk.

‘‘You were very drunk that night and drove very badly.

‘‘Fortunately the only person affected was you.’’

On the drinkdriving charge, SadowskiSynnott was fined $900, court costs of $130 and disqualified from driving for nine months. For careless driving, he was fined $600 and court costs of $130.