Firefighter in hot water for drink-driving

A Hamilton judge has raised concerns about a volunteer firefighter's continued involvement the fire service after his conviction for drink-driving.

Lindsay Clifford Runciman, 49, of Ngaruawahia, was sentenced yesterday at the Hamilton District Court to four months' community detention and 200 hours' community work. He had earlier pleaded guilty to driving while prohibited and driving with an excess breath-alcohol level.

On July 17 this year, Runciman was driving on Ngaruawahia Rd, Ngaruawahia, about 11.55pm, when he was stopped by police and admitted not having a current driver's licence. Runciman was also breath-tested and returned an alcohol reading of 558 micrograms per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400.

The court was told the defendant had several convictions for drink-driving dating back to the 1980s.

Defence counsel Raewyn Sporle said Runciman recognised he had an alcohol problem and was willing to attend counselling. He had also abstained from alcohol since the incident.

Runciman was jailed for his previous drink-driving offence.

Judge Arthur Tompkins said Runciman posed an "obvious risk" in that might be called out to a fire while intoxicated. The judge said Runciman should consider suspending his involvement in the volunteer brigade.

Runciman was also placed under supervision for a year and disqualified from driving for 13 months.

* An unemployed Waikato teen who broke into Otorohanga College twice, stealing computer equipment, later met with staff and students to apologise.

Andrew Christopher Ratu, 18, of Tokoroa, was sentenced yesterday at the Hamilton District Court to five months' community detention after pleading guilty to two counts of burglary.

He was also ordered to pay $1000 reparation by Judge Tompkins.

Ratu broke into the college twice, in April and May this year, taking computer equipment and accessories. None of the stolen property was recovered.

Defence counsel Natalie Palmer asked that Ratu be given credit for "fronting up" at a restorative justice conference with college staff and students at which they explained the impact of Ratu's offending on them.

Ms Palmer said Ratu did not know what had happened to the stolen property and had received threats warning him not to elaborate.

A Hamilton mother of 10 who travelled around the Waikato stealing supermarket meat packs has spoken of the "huge influence" her co-offenders had on her.

* Dominica Jackson, 33, was sentenced yesterday at the Hamilton District Court to five months' home detention after pleading guilty to eight counts of theft.

The charges relate to offending between May and August this year in which Jackson travelled to supermarkets and stores in Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Kuiti and Te Awamutu, stealing meat packs, alcohol and clothing.

When arrested in August, Jackson initially denied the offending but later told police she was addicted to stealing.

Defence counsel Jennifer Raleigh said Jackson was deeply remorseful and apologetic for her actions, and was motivated to change for the sake of her children.

Judge Tompkins also ordered Jackson to pay reparation – the amount of which was not disclosed.

- © Fairfax NZ News