‘Imbecile’ driver may face prison
A Christchurch man described by the police as “driving like an imbecile” when he was caught well over the alcohol limit last month has a long list of previous offences.
Kelvin Wayne Potts, 44, a builder, pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, and drink-driving and disqualified driving when he had committed both offences at least twice before.
His breath-alcohol level was 1098mcg to a litre of breath when he was stopped at Woodend on September 27. The legal limit is 400mcg.
He had been seen driving on State Highway 7 from Hanmer Springs towards Christchurch during the afternoon, when the public reported him overtaking on blind corners and forcing other drivers off the road. The police received at least four calls about his driving, prosecutor Sergeant Grant Neal told the Christchurch District Court.
Police Senior Sergeant Malcolm Johnston said that when Potts was caught he was so drunk he had trouble walking. “He was driving like an imbecile . He could have killed an innocent member of the public at any time.”
Potts’ explanation to police for his driving was, “I was just playing. I’m a good driver.” He told police he drove intoxicated because his mate was “too drunk to drive”.
After Potts pleaded guilty, Judge Tony Couch noted that he had “a lengthy history of both alcohol-driving and driving while disqualified”. He remanded Potts on bail for sentencing on December 19, but imposed an order that he not drive while awaiting sentence.
He also warned him that he was getting a report on his suitability for home detention but it was not an indication of the likely sentence – the sentencing judge would decide whether he should be jailed.
Category: News
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