A drink driver has been given 16 months of probation and disqualified from driving for a year in what has been described as an “extremely high” level of alcohol in his system at the time of the incident. This was heard at the Criminal Court on August 29.

Simiona Junior Simiona appeared before Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro for sentencing on careless driving and excess blood alcohol.

The Court heard he had 360 milligrams (mg) per 100 millilitres (ml) of blood in his system - the blood alcohol limit is 50 milligrams (mg) per 100 millilitres (ml) of blood.

JP Taoro said his actions were a wilful breach of the law and it was very fortunate that there was not a tragedy.

“It could have been a lot worse because of the crash; he should consider himself fortunate that he survived the crash.”

The incident happened on May 28.

JP Taoro said he would have to spend the first three months of his probation sentence on community service. He was ordered not to buy alcohol or enter licenced premises.

He was ordered to pay $150 for the blood test, convicted and fined $50, and ordered to pay court costs of $100.

Other matters

Jordan Rennie was disqualified from driving for 18 months and given 12 months of probation on a charge of excess breath alcohol.

Lawyer Mark Short said it was the second time Rennie had been convicted of drink-driving, the first time in 2017.

“Everyone knows he lost his father recently and he struggled with it,” Short said.

“I think the disqualification he receives now will impact him; if he is caught drink driving again, he is facing imprisonment.”

Short said his client was required to drive trucks and operate machinery in his line of work, then asked the Court to show leniency by allowing Rennie to consume alcohol, as he was often shouted drinks by clients.

Short did not support an 18-month disqualification and said the threat of prison would be more than a deterrent to the defendant.

The Court heard on June 14 he rode a motorcycle with a reading of 710 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

JP Taoro said it was fortunate no one was injured in the accident he was involved in.

He was sentenced to 12 months of probation, ordered not to consume or purchase alcohol, not to enter licenced premises, and disqualified from driving for 18 months. Court costs of $50 were added.

Varanisese Matai Sorby, also convicted and sentenced for excess breath alcohol was found to have 630 micrograms per litre of breath.

She was also charged with careless driving following an incident on November 19, 2022.

She was driving a car and collided with hedges.

The Court heard Sorby had been at a café drinking beer after work and fell asleep at the wheel.

Sorby was fined $200 and disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay $50 court costs.

The careless driving charge was dismissed.