Two Drink Offences On Same Day

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32210, 31 January 1970, Page 44

Two Drink Offences On Same Day

» (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 30. After Arvi Kutt, aged 40, a salesman, had been released from the police station on bail, he was stopped in his car, found to be drunk, and charged with driving under the influence for the second time that day, the Wellington Magistrate’s Court was told today.

Kutt was charged with driving under the influence in Oriental Parade and Courtenay Place on January 7. He pleaded guilty before Mr R. D. Jamieson, S.M., and was fined a total of $3OO and disqualified from driving for eight; years. 1 . ' ■ The Magistrate said-that as far. as.he was aware the case was, unique. ■ Detective Sergeant C. W. Wilson said that at 12:30 p.m. on January 7, Kutt had. been involved in an accident with another vehicle in’Courtenay Place. A .traffic.officer was called but was told Kutt • and the Other driver had left the scene. ’ - f ‘ 1 : ! The defendant, was followed by the Officer. Kutt was seen to take a turning on the wrong, side of. the road and to weave from lane to lane. fwo breath tests proved; positive.- A later blood test revealed 285 milligrammes of alcohol to 100 millilitres of blood in Kutt’s body.. Then, the same day, Kutt, ! who was on bail on the first charge, was seen driving in Oriental Parade at 8.55 p.m.. Sergeant Wilson said. A traffic officer saw. Kutt swerve in the left lane. He was stopped and again two breath tests were positive, and a blood test showed 290 milligrammes of alcohol ’to 100 millilitres of blood. He had no explanation except that he was on holiday, Sergeant Wilson said. Counsel for Kutt (Mr T.

Stacey) said that the defendant had had only two small bottles of strong beer to drink that day, but the previous night he had had plenty to drink. The police had told Kutt not to • drive until 6 p.m., Mr Stacey said. The Magistrate fined !Kutt $lOO on tjie first charge and disqualified him for three years.. On the second charge Kutt was fined $2OO and disqualified for five-years.