A mother was caught attempting to drive her child home while more than six times over the legal breath-alcohol limit.
Rebecca Anne Barrett (41), of Queensberry, near Wanaka, was apprehended by an off-duty police officer in the car park of the Queenstown Events Centre at 3pm on Sunday.
Her 6-year-old son was in the rear passenger seat and her key was in the vehicle's ignition.
An evidential breath test produced a reading of 1593mcg. The legal limit is 250mcg.
Barrett admitted one charge of drink-driving when she appeared in the Queenstown District Court yesterday.
Judge Christina Cook fined her $1600, disqualified her from driving for nine months and sentenced her to nine months' supervision, with a special condition to attend and complete any alcohol or drug programme, treatment or counselling to the satisfaction of the treatment provider and probation officer.
She was also ordered to pay $130 court costs.
Prosecuting Sergeant Ian Collin said Barrett had her two children with her at the centre's swimming pool.
‘‘They were swimming at the pool when she was observed by members of the public to be stumbling and not walking in a straight line,'' Sgt Collin said.
‘‘The youngest child was upset and she grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the pool area and into the car park.
‘‘At the time, both the defendant and the child were still dressed in their swimming togs and the child was upset and crying,'' he said.
Members of the public were concerned as they believed she was drunk.
When she placed the child in the rear seat and key in the ignition, an off-duty officer intervened and confiscated the keys.
Police were called. Barrett's older son, aged 13, was found inside the swimming pool area.
‘‘When spoken to, the defendant admitted she was going to drive home and admitted consuming alcohol.''
An evidential breath test was conducted at Queenstown police station after Barrett failed a roadside breath test.
Defence counsel Louise Denton said Barrett, a hairdresser, was under pressure because of building delays with the family's house.
Ms Denton said Barrett had begun drinking at 9am but ‘‘as she doesn't usually drink she totally underestimated the effect''.
‘‘She is seriously embarrassed and remorseful for the offending,'' Ms Denton said.
‘‘She is grateful to the people who intervened.''
Ms Denton said Barrett believed she did not have a problem with alcohol but Judge Cook ordered a stand-down report into Barrett's personal circumstances over the lunch adjournment.
The pre-sentence report indicated it was a ‘‘one-off and stupid incident'', Judge Cook said.
‘‘But ... I am really concerned.
‘‘Even if you were making a one-off decision, the decision to consume alcohol from that time of day when you had those children in your care was clearly inappropriate.
‘‘The 6-year-old was completely dependent on you to be a safe and appropriate person ... it is of extreme concern to the court that you were so intoxicated during the middle of the day.''
Judge Cook said she considered making a referral to Child Youth and Family, but did not because the pre-sentence report and Ms Denton indicated Barrett had family members ‘‘acting in a protective manner'' with regard to the children.
