Keys to cell won't be jingling for Christmas

A 19-year-old Gore man will spend Christmas in jail but will be out in time to start university next year, after appearing in the Invercargill District Court yesterday.

Zachary Denis Holland appeared before Judge Dominic Flatley for sentence on 11 charges including driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, driving with a blood alcohol level of 159mg, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, offensive behaviour, disorderly behaviour, using threatening speech and breach of community work.

The offences occurred at Gore between May 10 and November 27.

He was sentenced to three months' jail, disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay $1347 reparation.

Judge Flatley said Holland's offending was almost spree-like and he was a recidivist driving while disqualified offender.

Jail was the only option, he said.

In a letter written by Holland and presented to the court, Holland asked the judge to grant bail to allow him to support his pregnant partner and 10-month-old child, and continue his university studies in the new year.

Judge Flatley said Holland needed to consider the seriousness of his offending, but he did not want to stand in the way of him getting on with his life. The jail sentence meant Holland would be likely to be released in time to start university.

Judge Flatley also granted leave for Holland to apply for substitution of sentence.

- © Fairfax NZ News