A Ranfurly septuagenarian has accumulated his ninth drink-driving conviction, but avoided another stint in prison.
Judge Emma Smith denounced the ‘‘extraordinarily arrogant recidivism’’ of Kerry David Beckett, 72, at his sentencing in the Alexandra District Court last week, but stepped back from sending him to prison for the third time.
Beckett, a labourer, was randomly stopped in Pery St in Ranfurly on February 26.
A breath-alcohol test gave a result of 600mcg.
Counsel Jacinta Grant said Beckett had already served jail time for drink-driving, in 2013 and 2016, but asked for a ‘‘merciful’’ sentence on the basis of his age, the moderate alcohol level involved in his latest offending, and the fact there had been no driving fault.
He had never received a rehabilitative sentence for drinkdriving, but had instead gone from paying fines to prison time, Ms Grant said.
Judge Smith said Beckett told his pre-sentence report writer he had been ‘‘foolish’’ to drive.
She convicted him of aggravated drink-driving, and from a starting point of 20 months’ imprisonment, made a 25% deduction for his guilty plea to 15 months.
That was converted to seven months’ home detention to a Masterton address.
He was disqualified from driving for 17 months, and must pay court costs of $130.
Also sentenced by Judge Smith last week were.—
Cameron Donald Rangi, 30, truck driver, of Omakau, causing harm by posting a digital communication, May 3; threatening language, May 16, six months’ supervision, court costs $130.
James Daniel King, 28, mechanic, of Dunedin, possessing cannabis, possessing cannabis utensil, January 5, Cromwell, fined $700, court costs $130.
Jade Maniapoto, 28, operator, of Alexandra, threatening language, intentional damage, September 24, 2022, Alexandra; intentional damage, July 23, Gore, fined $900, reparation $400, court costs $130.
Hine Biddle, 58, shearing gang worker, of Alexandra, aggravated disqualified driving, Hillview Rd, June 30, fined $550, court costs $130, disqualified 13 months.
Terry John Diack, 47, farmer, of Tarras, possessing cannabis, April 18, fined $300, court costs $130.
Ross John Murdoch, 33, builder, of Galloway, theft (rifle), May 4, 2015 to November 28, 2022, Ida Valley; theft (four-wheel motorbike), March 31, 2015 to March 18, 2022, Moa Creek; theft (chainsaw), May 1, 2019 to March 18, 2022, Moa Creek, 150 hours’ community work.
Tony Thomas Tainui, 36, furniture remover, of Cromwell, aggravated drink-driving (738mcg), dangerous driving, failing to remain stopped for police, resisting police, December 18, 2022, Queenstown; aggravated drink-driving (176mg), Melmore Tce, February 3, Cromwell, six months’ home detention, fined $1000, reparation $17,971, disqualified 24 months.
Katherine Marie Kelso, 39, bar manager, of Cromwell, assault in family relationship, December 11, discharged without conviction.
Leora Kamelia Werner-Padman, 25, of Oturehua, assault in family relationship, assault with a weapon (can), January 6, Ranfurly, discharged without conviction, reparation $500, court costs $130.
Kimba Himiona Tawhai John Keno, 34, fisheries worker, of Roxburgh, possessing methamphetamine pipe, possessing cannabis seed, cultivating cannabis, December 13, Roxburgh, 200 hours’ community work, court costs $130.
Kingi Mathew Ransfield, 48, shearer, of Alexandra, aggravated disqualified driving, John St, Ranfurly, January 22, seven months’ prison with leave to apply for home detention, disqualified 12 months, court costs $130.
Ranald James McHardy, 44, labourer, of Alexandra, assault in family relationship, breaching protection order, drink-driving (600mcg), Earnscleugh Rd, August 17, five months’ home detention, disqualified six months, court costs $130.
