Road spikes stop gun-shop director driving at 168kmh

Road spikes were needed to stop a Christchurch gun-shop director in a high-speed, late-night police chase, a court has been told.

Gun City director David Matthew Holden Tipple was yesterday fined $1250 by Christchurch District Court Judge Stephen Erber after he admitted reckless driving and failing to stop for police. He was disqualified for eight months.

The judge said Tipple had picked up a car after returning from an overseas trip. He was seen speeding late at night by police near Tokoroa, and was clocked at 137km/h.

Police began a chase but even after reaching 168km/h they were not closing the gap as they approached the Waikato town.

Tipple came up behind a police car and did a dangerous U-turn, and was stopped by road spikes, the judge said.

It was a bad piece of driving and inconsistent with a probation report that spoke of Tipple's involvement with a church and his business acumen.

The judge doubted Tipple's remorse, which seemed more like regret that he was caught.

Lawyer Gerald Lascelles said Tipple had just returned from Japan and was affected by lack of sleep and a long drive.

There was potential danger to other road users, but Tipple's last traffic offence was in 1989. He had a good record, given the time he spent on the road.

The offending had already cost him $1640, since he had paid a $412 speeding fine and had to pay for three new tyres and other expenses, Lascelles said.

"It just shows speeding doesn't pay, doesn't it," the judge said.

- © Fairfax NZ News