Drink-driver had ‘many issues with alcohol abuse’ — judge

A mother of seven children who began drinking alcohol at 11 years old was the daughter of alcoholic parents, the Invercargill District Court heard yesterday.

Kylie Marie Mahia (35), who had been alcohol-free since 2015, had recently lost her job and had been in an argument with her husband who had found out she had been drinking again, before getting in her car and driving off on November 2.

After she drove off, she stopped and consumed alcohol, Judge Josephine Bouchier said yesterday.

She was found to have a breath alcohol level of 1061mcg.

Mahia had 15 previous convictions since she first appeared in court in 2003. Her last recorded offence was seven years ago, the judge said.

"There are many issues with alcohol abuse since having been exposed and consuming alcohol since she was 11."

A report states while both parents were alcoholics, Mahia’s mother had been alcohol-free for 35 years and was a shining example to her daughter.

Judge Bouchier sentenced Mahia to 12 months’ supervision, disqualified her from driving for 28 days and imposed alcohol interlock licence provisions.

 

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