A 22-year-old farmer has been told by a Gore District Court judge that the way he drove was grossly inappropriate and could have ended tragically.

Jamie Christopher Hennessy, 22, farm worker, of Balfour, appeared before Judge John Strettell last week for driving dangerously and with a breath alcohol level of 590 microcgrams on July 1. The legal limit is 400mcg. He was fined $600 and disqualified from driving for 10 months.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Rob Mills said Hennessy and two associates got into an altercation with the occupants of a Toyota Hilux.

Hennessy then followed the Hilux closely before pulling up alongside it and one of the associates punched the driver's window, Mr Mills said.

He continued to follow directly behind the vehicle at 80kmh as it left Gore, causing the occupants of the Hilux to fear for their safety, he said. At the time the roads were dangerous because of frost and black ice.

Hennessy's lawyer, Tina Williams, said it was an incident which had escalated out of control and was fuelled by alcohol.

Judge Strettell said Hennessy's driving conduct was grossly inappropriate and it was the type of situation that could have had a tragic outcome.

Assault
Christopher Robert Murdoch, 22, was sentenced to 125 hours community work and ordered to pay $300 emotional harm reparation for assaulting a female at Balclutha on July 1.

Cannabis
Matthew James Donaldson, 33, meat worker, was remanded to October 17 for sentence on seven charges of offering to sell cannabis, possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling or offering to sell, possessing LSD and possessing ecstasy between May 23 and June 5.

Craig Robert Irvine, 27, farmer, was sentenced to 100 hours community work for cultivating cannabis on August 28.

Burglary
Joel Mathew Walker, 24, was sentenced to 120 hours community work and ordered to pay $400 reparation for burglary on October 5.

Breach
Chantayne Marie Rangi, 28, of Mataura, was convicted and discharged for breaching community work on June 28 and August 11.

Joshua James Reynolds, 26, was remanded to November 7 for compliance for breaching community work on July 28.

Jason Allan Blondell, 32, was ordered to come up for sentence if called on within six months for breaching release conditions at Cromwell on August 13 and 14.

Driving
Corey Renata Maniapoto, 19, was sentenced to 120 hours community work and disqualified for nine months for driving while disqualified and with a breath alcohol level of 566mcg on August 11. He was convicted and discharged for breaching community work on August 16.

Carl John Arnoldus Watters, 24, farm hand, of Ardlussa, was fined $300 and disqualified for six months for driving while disqualified at Ardlussa on August 13.

Hogan Josh Totorewa, 23, shearer, of Riversdale, was sentenced to 200 hours community work and disqualified for 13 months for driving while suspended and with a breath alcohol level of 715mcg on June 29 and 30.

Joshua David McLaren, 19, was remanded to October 17 after he admitted driving with a sustained loss of traction and with a breath alcohol level of 666mcg on August 28.

Hori Franklin Mihaere, 26, of Mataura, was sentenced to four months community detention, six months supervision, 150 hours community work and disqualified indefinitely for driving while forbidden and with a breath alcohol level of 778mcg at Mataura on May 26.

Corey Grant Turipa, 30, shearer, of Wyndham, was sentenced to six months jail and disqualified for two years for driving with a breath alcohol level of 510mcg at Mataura on June 8. He was convicted and discharged for driving while forbidden on June 8.

Drink-driving
Mitchell Allan Birse, 39, farmer, of Waitane, was fined $750 and disqualified for one year and one day for driving with a breath alcohol level of 533mcg at Mataura on July 29.

Jamie William Whitehead, 18, contractor, of Upper Charlton, 860mcg on August 11. Fined $800 and disqualified for six months.

Cameron David Wilson, 18, farmer, of Mokoreta, 270mcg (under 20). Fined $300 and disqualified for three months.

Amy Joanne Aitcheson, 33, labourer, of Mataura, 549mcg at Mataura. Fined $1100 and disqualified for nine months.

Stewart Charles Stephen, 68, of Waikaka, 448mcg at Waikaka. Sentenced to 60 hours community work. Stevi Rose Anna Watson-Williams, 23, 655mcg on August 18. Fined $550 and disqualified for six months.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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