A Queenstown drink-driver has been sentenced to two years and four months' imprisonment for seriously injuring a pedestrian.
Nicholas Edward Catlin (33) was three times over the limit when his car mounted a kerb outside the resort's Copthorne Hotel, Stanley Street, on March 3, and struck Japanese woman Mutsuko Morisue.
She hit the bonnet and rebounded into the air, sustaining a traumatic brain injury, complex facial fractures, an injury to her left eye, and serious bruising to her lower body.
Catlin, a builder who is originally from the UK and has two previous drink-drive convictions there, left the scene without checking on her.
He hid in bushes before catching a taxi home and going to sleep.
He admitted drink-driving causing injury and failing to stop after an accident to ascertain injury and was sentenced at Queenstown District Court this morning.
Ms Morisue (42), who needed brain surgery and spent two months in hospital, was in court to read out her own victim impact statement.
She said the accident has had a profound impact on her life and it will take her years to fully recover.
She still suffers blurred vision, dizziness, acute anxiety, and has trouble sleeping. She cannot yet return to her work in the hospitality industry.
Ms Morisue said she felt Catlin's apology during a restorative justice meeting was ``shallow''.
``He did not make eye contact with me for more than a few seconds,'' she said.
Catlin's lawyer Liam Collins made submissions his client should be sentenced to home detention, which would serve the interests of justice and allow him to work to repay Ms Morisue.
The accident had cost her, her family and her friends, some $9000.
But Judge Bernadette Farnan, taking all factors into account, settled on a final sentence of two years and four months' imprisonment
``This was very serious offending,'' Judge Farnan said.
``It is clear that you and Ms Morisue are very lucky there weren't more serious consequences.
``This has had a great impact on her life and you have relevant previous convictions.''
Ms Morisue said in her statement she believes her life was saved by the fact she was wearing a bicycle helmet and received immediate medical attention from St John paramedics who happened to be nearby at the time.
Catlin was also disqualified from driving from five years.
He was ordered to pay $2500 reparation immediately and a further $5000 when available.
He is, however, likely to be deported when released from prison.
