Man up on 10th and 11th drink-driving offences

A man appeared on his 10th and 11th drink driving offences, committed three months apart, in Tauranga District Court today.

Paul Arthur Bidois, 56, concrete worker, was caught during random police stops in Tauranga, on May 17 and August 21.

He had readings of 898 micrograms and 835mcg of alcohol per litre of breath, both well over double the legal limit of 400.

Lawyer Glenn Dixon told the court that alcohol had been a major problem for the defendant 16 years ago. He had accepted responsibility for the relapse and had no non-alcohol related traffic convictions.

Mr Dixon said his client was considered a valued worker and his employment would be kept open to him whatever the penalty imposed by the court.

Judge Louis Bidois said a community sentence would have been given for one charge, but the accused had driven drunk again while on bail for the previous offence.

"They were both high readings."

He remanded the defendant until October 21 for a pre-sentence report which would include the options of home detention and community detention.

Judge Bidois allowed bail on condition the man did not drive.

Add a Comment