A Winton woman who drunk-drove her car through a concrete fence and into a property’s kitchen has pleaded guilty after causing an estimated $127,000 worth of damage.
Patricia Yvonne Hewlett (58) appeared in the Invercargill District Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to one charge of reckless driving and another count of driving while under the influence.
Police prosecutor acting sergeant Penny Stratford said the defendant was driving north-bound on Princes St, in Invercargill, at 9.55pm on December 24 last year when the incident occurred.
"The defendant was on a restricted licence and had been consuming alcohol prior to driving."
She was found with a breath alcohol level of 914mg, more than nearly four times the legal limit.
Sgt Stratford said a witness observed the defendant reversing "at a high speed" before crashing through a fence and coming to a halt in the kitchen of the property.
When questioned by police, the defendant said she had lost control when a vehicle had swerved out in front of her.
Counsel Jono Ross said the defendant had suffered several traumatic life events which had contributed to her offending.
She had since served a 28-day suspension from driving without any breaches, he said.
Judge Russell Walker remanded her on bail until sentencing on February 18.
He also imposed a zero-alcohol tolerance while driving and ordered her to pay $650 to cover the insurance excess costs.
