Drink-driver six times over legal level

A woman has admitted driving her child to school in the Queenstown Lakes district while being six times over the legal breath-alcohol level.

In the Queenstown District Court this week the 42-year-old admitted a charge stemming from an incident in May. She was granted interim name suppression.

Prosecuting Sergeant Ian Collin said the woman was observed by a following motorist having difficulty staying in the correct lane while driving at 9am on May 26.

At one point the witness observed the car pull over, the woman get out, vomit then get back in the car and continue driving.

Police visited her at home a short time later and carried out a breath test which returned a breath-alcohol reading of 1540mcg. The limit is 250mcg.

"She stated she was dropping her [child] off at school, she had not consumed alcohol that day but had been drinking at home the previous evening.''

Defence counsel Joseph Mooney said there were some "obviously concerning'' factors, including the fact she had had a child with her in the vehicle.

The woman's life had been "somewhat challenging'' of late and the offending was completely out of character for her.

Judge Christina Cook said it was "astonishing she was still able to actually be conscious and drive''. She entered the conviction and remanded the woman on bail ahead of sentencing on July 11.

The judge told the woman she had issued a notification to Child, Youth and Family "given the level and the fact you were stopped that intoxicated after dropping your [child] off at school''.

Conditions of bail included not to drive and not to consume alcohol.

 

 

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