Last one for the road

A Huntly motorist with 13 previous convictions for drink-driving was seen drinking behind the wheel moments after being pulled over by police.

Michael Robert Woods, 48, was yesterday sentenced in the Hamilton District Court to 18 months' jail after he admitted two counts of driving with an excess breath alcohol level and two of driving while disqualified. He was disqualified from driving indefinitely.

Woods, who has 13 previous drink-driving convictions and 10 for driving while disqualified, was stopped in Rangiriri, north of Huntly, on June 30 with a breath-alcohol level of 873 micrograms per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg. A summary of facts said Woods showed "extreme signs of consuming alcohol" and continued drinking from a beer bottle after being stopped by police.

On March 21, Woods was stopped at a police checkpoint in Te Kauwhata and blew 958mcg.

Defence counsel Kirstie Barr yesterday said Woods admitted having an alcohol problem and understood jail was the only sentencing option.

- © Fairfax NZ News