Driving indicated ‘death wish’, court told
A 24-year-old born with an opiate addiction admits he was “high as a kite” during three Christchurch incidents where he drove as though he had a death wish.
Jamie Anthony Clarke was high on methamphetamine when he committed three offences of reckless driving, and one of careless driving.
He admitted those charges ahead of his Christchurch District Court sentencing as well as charges of thefts, petrol drive-off thefts, and possession of drugs equipment.
Judge John Strettell jailed him for 10 months with an order that he undertake psychological assessment and counselling as directed, including residential rehabilitation for drug addiction and alcoholism if required.
Clarke’s 10 charges were described as “an extravaganza of offending” in his pre-sentence report.
Defence counsel Josh Lucas said Clarke admitted he was “high as a kite” at the time of the offending. He was now showing insight into how his actions were affecting people.
At a sentencing in 2012, the court was told that Clarke had been addicted to opiates since birth and had behavioural and learning difficulties arising from his mother’s opiate use during pregnancy. He was being sentenced at that time for burgling quake-abandoned houses and taking hot water cylinders.
The latest offending took place in August.
Judge Strettell said Clarke had driven recklessly as though he had a death wish and had no regard for the safety of other road users. The lead-up to these episodes involved feelings of depression and drug and alcohol use.
Clarke was fortunate to be able to attend his own sentencing, and that no-one had been hurt by his offending.
Apart from the prison term, Judge Strettell disqualified Clarke from driving for 18 months and ordered him to pay reparations of $249 to petrol stations for his drive-off thefts.
Category: News
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