An American citizen caught driving on the wrong side of the road while drunk said he did not want to leave his rental car behind, according to police.
Andrew Neil McCall, 32, admitted driving with excess breath alcohol when he appeared in Blenheim District Court yesterday.
He was fined $650, court costs and disqualified for six months.
McCall was found to have 633 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Graham Single said McCall was pulled over by police on Main St, Blenheim about 3.50am on January 12 because he was driving on the wrong side of the road. Defence lawyer Bryony Millar said McCall was in New Zealand on a working holiday and needed to return his rental car by a certain time.
Judge Stephen Harrop said McCall put the car at more risk by driving on the wrong side of the road and drunk than leaving it parked on the street. McCall had no previous convictions which showed he was of good character, he said.
Other drink drivers in court:
Chanelle Rose Arthur, 21, of Blenheim, 526mcg, fined $525, court costs and disqualified for six months.
Abraham McIvor, 24, a labourer of Blenheim, 448mcg for a third or subsequent charge, will be sentenced on March 19.
Raymond Remi, 61, a deck hand of Spring Creek, 556mcg, a third or subsequent charge, sentenced to four months' community detention and disqualified for 18 months.
Donald Gordon Wikitapu-Waikari, 47, a vineyard worker of Blenheim, 637mcg, a third or subsequent charge, sentenced to six months' community detention, 200 hours' community work, nine months' supervision and disqualified for 18 months.
- The Marlborough Express
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