A man who was tracked by police dogs after fleeing a car crash has been barred from driving for nine months.
Francis John Farnell, 32, of Blenheim, admitted charges of careless driving and driving with excess breath alcohol when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday .
Judge Geoffrey Ellis convicted and fined Farnell $900 for driving with excess breath alcohol and $300 for careless driving, as well as court costs of $130 for both charges. He also disqualified him from driving for nine months.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said Farnell was the only occupant of the car when he crashed into a hedge and a tree at the intersection of Rowberrys and Swamp roads on May 5. The car was written off and Farnell fled from the scene, Mr Frost said.
Mr Frost said neighbours called police who used dogs to find Farnell about 1km away from the crash. Farnell initially denied he had been the driver.
He was found to have 824 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath (the legal limit is 400mcg).
Defence counsel Bryony Millar said Farnell believed "no one was more disgusted than he was" about the event. She said Farnell had since admitted to his friends, family and employer he had a drinking problem. Judge Ellis said it would not have been a surprise to them.
Other drink drivers in the Blenheim District Court yesterday:
Juanita Terangi Rakena, 29, Riversdale, eba 1058mcg, convicted and sentenced to one year intensive supervision, disqualified for two years and subject to indefinite disqualification.Peony May Threadwell, 53, healthcare worker, Blenheim, eba 978mcg, convicted and fined $700, court costs $130, disqualified for six months.
Conan Morris, 37, US citizen, eba 773mcg, convicted and fined $600, $200 for careless driving, $130 court costs and disqualified for six months.
Selenito Totau, 17, vineyard worker, Blenheim, eba 800, 60 hours' community work, disqualified for six months, convicted and fined $200 and court costs of $130 for giving false details, convicted and fined $200 and $130 court costs for driving while disqualified. The Marlborough Express
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