Drink-driver killed on 18th offence

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A drunk-driver with 17 previous convictions for disqualified driving has been jailed for four years after he killed a Northland mother-of-one on his 18th offence.

Chronic alcoholic Warren John Jenkins, 49, fought his partner for his car keys before the crash that killed Katherine Kennedy, 46, on State Highway 2 outside Kerikeri in March.

He had only been out of jail for 10 days - where he had served a three month sentence for his 16th drink driving conviction Kennedy was survived by a five-year-old son, Matthew, who is being brought up by his uncle, Matthew Kennedy.

Matthew Kennedy and other family members read victim impact statements to Judge Emma Aitken in the Auckland District Court today.

All said the system had failed in letting such a shocking recidivist back in a position where he could drive again.

"Who’s next to cry over their loved ones’ cold dead body?" Matthew Kennedy asked.

In July, Jenkins pleaded guilty to drunk driving causing death, excess blood alcohol, driving while disqualified, assault and theft.

On March 17, he drove 180km from Orewa to Kerikeri after an all-night drinking session.

He drank wine from a fizzy-drink bottle while he drove and had earlier pushed over his partner when she tried to take his keys.

Jenkins' ute failed to take a bend on the highway and hit Ms Kennedy head-on as she drove south after dropping her son at school.

She later died in Whangarei Hospital.

Jenkins checked himself out of hospital and went on the run.

He was found by police - asleep in a car – on the Auckland waterfront two days later.

- © Fairfax NZ News