Drink-driver blames swine flu

Swine flu had its day in court yesterday when a drink-driver used it as an excuse, saying the illness made her body more susceptible to alcohol.

Deborah Karen Graham, 48, manager, appeared before Judge Kevin Phillips in the Queenstown District Court for drink-driving.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Grant Gerken said Graham was randomly stopped at 10.50pm on July 4 and blew 530mcg.

She told police she had drunk three glasses of wine, he said.

Defence counsel Nicole Murphy explained to Judge Phillips her client had been ill.

"She had swine flu. She was just getting over it ... and she thinks because she had the flu (the alcohol) may have hit her harder."

"She is highly embarrassed and remorseful about her actions."

But Judge Phillips was having none of it. "Swine flu seems to be the 'in' submission for everything at the moment," he said. "I reject all that."

He fined Graham $550 and disqualified her from driving for six months.