For offences committed during the Alexandra Blossom Festival last month, 60 people were fined a total of $19,100 and ordered to pay almost $8000 in court costs when sentenced on 61 charges by justices of the peace Daphne Stewart and Rory Gollop in the Alexandra District Court yesterday.
All but two of those charged chose not to appear in the court, instead pleading guilty by letter.
Most were not from Central Otago, and Ms Stewart said it was "disappointing" people from out of town chose Alexandra as the venue for their bad behaviour.
"Maybe they won't be back next year [after being arrested]," she said.
Mr Gollop said he hoped those charged had learnt their lessons.
"A lot of this offending seems to stem from alcohol," he said.
For each charge, each person was fined between $200 and $500 and ordered to pay court costs of $130.
All were charged with either breaching the liquor ban, disorderly or offensive behaviour, or using insulting words.
When sentencing, the justices took into account whether people had any previous convictions, if there were mitigating circumstances to the offending, and if guilty pleas were entered at the first opportunity.
All charges related to offending in Alexandra, Millers Flat, Roxburgh, Ettrick, Ranfurly, and Clyde on September 26 and 27.
Police made 80 arrests in Central Otago during the opening weekend of Alexandra's Blossom Festival, the most at the event in five years.
Some arrested have yet to appear in the court. Others may be eligible for diversion.
