May 23, 2008

Repeat drink-driver jailed again

By Anne Clarkson

As he got ready for sentencing for his 10th disqualified driving conviction, Ronald Thomas Christie told the probation officer: ?I?m sick of being in trouble.?

He is back in prison now, although the probation report said repeated sentences of imprisonment had not brought about any changes in his offending.

Judge David Holderness did not accept recommendations that community-based sentences such as home detention or community detention be imposed.

Defence counsel Gilbert Hay said Christie now wanted to give up drinking, and a further prison term would serve no useful purpose.

?The court has to send a clear message to the community,? said Judge Holderness. ?I do not agree with Mr Hay.?

Christie was spoken to by the police because of a vehicle crash. He was too intoxicated and could not remember what happened. The judge described his level of 1049mcg of alcohol to a litre of breath as ?alarmingly high?.

Christie, a 38-year-old plasterer from Wainoni, was being sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of driving with excess breath-alcohol and driving while disqualified.

The judge said he had been shown significant leniency last time he offended, when he was not jailed.

He sent Christie to prison for nine months, and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.

Christie is also disqualified indefinitely and must eventually apply to the Secretary for Land Transport to be allowed his licence back.

He must undergo assessment and treatment for alcohol abuse.