About 2am on December 30, Isuru Nuwan Wijegunawardana Nahallage Don, 35, was driving his Honda sedan with an illuminated taxi sign taped to its roof when he picked up two passengers outside the Wānaka Night ’n Day store.
Charging $40 to drive them about 3km to a Wānaka address, they were on the way when he was stopped by police in Beacon Point Rd for travelling at 69kmh in a 40kmh speed zone.
He denied he had been drinking, but a breath-screening test gave a result of 492mcg, nearly twice the legal limit.
He also did not have a New Zealand driver’s licence, let alone a passenger service licence.
Nahallage Don was sentenced in the Queenstown District Court yesterday on charges of drink-driving and providing an unlicensed transport service.
The latter carries a maximum punishment of a $10,000 fine.
Defence counsel DeAnne Nicoloso said the defendant had been told by a friend he was allowed to pick up paying passengers.
He had a wife and children in Sri Lanka who relied on his income and convictions would have potential repercussions for his immigration status.
Community magistrate Sarah Steele said the combination of offending was concerning.
"Not only are you asking people to pay for transport services when you’re not licensed to do so, but you’re doing so with alcohol in your system over our criminal limit.
"You were led astray by a friend, but it’s your responsibility to make sure you comply with the laws of New Zealand."
She imposed the convictions and sentenced him to a fine of $1492, court costs of $148, and disqualified him from driving for six months.
