Drunk on quad twice in week
A Ruakaka man caught drink driving on a quad bike twice in a week - both times while more than double the legal limit - has been jailed for his third and fourth drink-driving convictions.
Henare Rewiri RAMEKA, 42, unemployed, appeared in Whangarei District Court for sentencing on two charges of driving with excess breath alcohol for a third or subsequent time.
The police summary of facts to the court said Rameka was driving a Yamaha quad bike on Tamingi St, Ruakaka, about 8.55am on March 31 when he was stopped by police.
A breath test showed he had a level of 1147 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.
Rameka had his licence suspended for 28 days as the alcohol level was over 650mcg.
About 7.15pm on April 6 Rameka was seen driving a Yamaha quad bike on Peter Snell Rd and a test revealed he had a level of 971mcg.
He was sentenced to two months and seven days' jail and disqualified from driving for 18 months for his third and fourth drink-driving conviction.
Northland has some of the highest rates of drink-driving in the country, particularly repeat offenders, and the Northern Advocate is publishing its "name and shame" list of all people convicted of drink driving offences in the region.
Also sentenced in Northland's courts recently were:
Kevin John SHRIMPTON, 43, 756mcg, four months' community detention, 12 months' supervision, disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day for third drink-driving conviction.
Wynne Jonell MACKEY, 31, 450mcg, $500 fine, disqualified from driving for seven months.
Joshua BRUCE, 28, 953mcg, $850 fine, disqualified from driving for seven months.
Sam Patrick SULLIVAN, 21, 938mcg, 100 hours' community work, eight months' supervision, disqualified from driving for seven months.
Liquor limits: Aged 20 and above: 400mcg of alcohol per litre of breath; 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Under 20: Young drivers with a blood alcohol limit of between 0.00 and 0.03 will receive an infringement fee of $200 and 50 demerit points. Young drivers with a blood alcohol limit over that will continue to be subject to the same drink drive penalties as adults.
