Gore man unable to explain erratic driving fined, banned

A Gore man had no explanation for his erratic driving – some of it in a known accident black spot.

Staci-Dene Poole, 22, a solo parent, appeared in the Gore District Court on Wednesday on a charge of driving in a dangerous manner, and he was disqualified from driving for six months and fined $800 by Judge Catriona Doyle.

The court was told Poole was travelling from Gore to Christchurch with his partner and two young children in the car on the afternoon of February 5.

At the Moeraki turn-off area, he crossed double yellow lines, with about three-quarters of his vehicle in the oncoming lane, and drove like this for about 30 seconds, which caught the attention of a motorist who was following him.

He again crossed the centre line at Maheno for a distance, and at Oamaru he cut off another motorist, who had to take evasive action, before accelerating north of the town at speed to pass a freight truck.

When asked by Judge Doyle why he drove in this manner and what distracted him at Moeraki, he said “nothing”.

Judge Doyle said she knew people who had died on that stretch of highway at Moeraki, which was a known accident black spot. She told Poole about the death of a young girl in a car crash there, and said other motorists had died in the same area.

“This could have been your kids. This could have been someone else’s kids,’’ she said.

“I really hope you take this as the wake-up call the universe is giving you.”

In a separate incident, a woman who was stopped at a checkpoint after Southern Field Days at Gore told police she had consumed one big bottle of beer, but recorded a breath alcohol level of 1065 micrograms. The legal limit is 250mcg of alcohol per litre of breath.

Haley Michelle Caig, 37, a farm worker, of Clifden, was fined $2000 and disqualified from driving for 28 days with leave to apply for an alcohol interlock licence when she appeared in the Gore District Court on Wednesday.

The court was told Caig had been at Southern Field Days and was driving home with another adult and a 14-yearold child in the car when she was stopped at a checkpoint on Charlton Rd on Friday, February 16.

Judge Catriona Doyle said in the last seven years Caig had undertaken community work, community detention and been on a sentence of supervision for offending.

“The main issue is the issue of public safety,’’ Judge Doyle said.

“You really need to know at this point we are running out of options for you. If you appear for breaching your interlock or drink driving you may end up with a term of imprisonment.”

Also appearing in court: Ashleigh Erica Heads, 24, of Mataura, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to remove a vehicle from a road on January 8. She will appear in court again on May 1.

Kyle Blair Alexander Gardyne, 22, freezing worker, of Gore, was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for 28 days with leave to apply for an alcohol interlock licence for driving with a breath alcohol level of 881mcg at Oakland St on January 19.

Riley Grant, 21, of Maitland, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified (aggravated) at Balclutha on February 6. He was remanded on bail and will reappear in court on May 22.

Cameron Scott Anthony Mutch, 20, of Mataura, was sentenced to 80 hours community work and disqualified for six months for driving while suspended on the Gore Mataura Highway on August 3.

Stuart Huerea Ruri, 45, forestry worker, of Minginui, was fined $1000 and disqualified for one year and one day for driving with a breath alcohol level of 653mcg on Main St, Gore, on February 10; and was convicted and discharged for driving while suspended on the Gore Mataura Highway on March 9.

Tama Justin Tamou, 26, of Gore, pleaded guilty to driving contrary to an alcohol interlock licence and driving with a breath alcohol level of 674mcg at Main St, Gore, on January 26. He will appear for sentencing on May 22.

Reeves Paora Te Aonui-Kawana, 26, shearer, of Gore, was disqualified for three months for careless driving on Elizabeth St, Gore, on November 28.

Bonny Ngataina Tihu, 57, shearer, of Merino Downs, was fined $900 and disqualified for one year and one day for driving with a breath alcohol level of 776mcg on Brock Rd on February 16.

Paris Wikaira, 25, freezing worker, of Brydone, was sentenced to 250 hours’ community work, 12 months’ supervision and disqualified for six months, at which time he will have leave to apply for an alcohol interlock licence, for driving at a dangerous speed (156kph) and driving with a breath alcohol level of 849mcg on November 11.

“I really hope you take this as the wake-up call the universe is giving you.” Judge Catriona Doyle