Third drink charge 'last chance'

A woman facing her third serious drink-driving charge in eight years avoided prison yesterday.

The New Plymouth District Court was told yesterday that Paula Ann Voice had a reading of 785 micrograms per litre of breath, almost twice the legal limit of 400mcg, after police stopped her driving in her car on Breakwater Rd on July 21.

Her lawyer Rajan Rai said Voice, 41, was used to working 10-12 hours but had been unemployed for about 2 1/2 months and was suffering some depression as a result.

Visiting Judge Kendall said her previous convictions in 2002 and 2006 brought her close to being sent to prison.

"The deterrent message has to apply to yourself and the community at large," Judge Kendall said.

However, he was persuaded not to jail her and said he had taken account of her early guilty plea, her personal circumstances and her wish to address alcohol misuse.

"But of course you need to know that this is your last chance."

Voice was sentenced to nine months supervision with a condition she seek alcohol treatment as well as 240 hours of community work, disqualified from driving for a year and three months and ordered to have her vehicle confiscated.

A man on an invalid's benefit who stole five packets of sirloin steak from Woolworths at Westown had his fines wiped but was advised to get some budgeting help.

Jamie Russell Waapu, 34, took the packets valued at $71.56 on July 25 because he said he was hungry and had no money for food.

Judge Kendall questioned Waapu about his income and suggested he seek more help from WINZ.

"You are coming backwards and forwards all the time [to the court] and this is not the place," he said, noting Waapu had shoplifted before.

Waapu was convicted and discharged without a penalty. Judge Kendall said he didn't want to make matters worse for Waapu.

A 19-year-old who has notched up seven convictions in two years was sternly warned by Judge Kendall to take a good hard look at his life.

Joshua Prentice appeared in court charged with intent to frighten after he turned up at his girlfriend's house about 4.15am on July 25 to threaten someone else in the house.

A probation report revealed Prentice worked fulltime, was intending to undergo alcohol and drug treatment and was now back with his girlfriend.

"It's time for you to grow up, if you are sensible about a relationship and if there's an issue common-sense says you don't got to talk about it at four in the morning," the judge said.

He convicted Prentice and gave him a suspended sentence.

- © Fairfax NZ News