Public intervened after walkway driving incident
Members of the public intervened after a car was driven along the Esplanade walkway at Sumner.
The incident ended with a woman being pushed in the chest by 27-year-old Nathan Lester Cameron.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Dave Murray pressed for Christchurch District Court Judge Jane Farish to rule out home detention because of Cameron’s record which includes 19 convictions for violence and threats.
But the judge decided to grant him an eight-month home detention term, disqualify him from driving indefinitely, and ordered that he have no financial interest in a vehicle for a year.
She imposed special conditions that he consume no drugs or alcohol, attend rehabilitation programmes as required, and get prior approval for any employment or training he takes.
Cameron was appearing for sentencing after admitting charges of dangerous driving, drink-driving, using threatening language, and assault.
Judge Farish said the incident occurred on January 19 when Cameron drove along the Esplanade walkway at Sumner when many people were on the footpath.
People had to get out of the way as he drove along at between 30km and 60km an hour, honking the horn continuously.
He drove down the steps to get off the walkway and back onto the road.
“When you parked nearby you were approached by a large number of people who were distressed and very concerned about your behaviour,” said the judge.
“You weren’t very pleasant when first approached, using most inappropriate language.”
A woman who approached him was shoved in the chest, causing her to stumble backwards and leaving her with a sore chest.
Police were soon there and found Cameron had a breath-alcohol level of 784mcg to a litre of breath – almost twice the legal limit.
The judge told Cameron: “The reason why you keep on coming back is that you abuse alcohol. Alcohol makes you an aggressive and obnoxious man.”
She noted that his behaviour improved when he lived with his parents, who did not drink. They were concerned about Cameron making poor choices when he was drinking and not thinking through the consequences of his actions.
Category: News
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