Secretary convicted

Press, 26 January 1988, Page 21

Secretary convicted

PA Wellington The Ministry of Transport Deputy Secretary, Mr Brian Lynch, has been convicted of a drink-driv-ing charge in the Porirua District Court. He was fined $3OO, ordered to pay court costs of $55, and disqualified from driving for six months by Judge D. J. Carruthers.

Prosecuting, Mr Stephen Sergeant said Lynch, aged 51, was stopped at 6.08 p.m. on October 11 at Pukerua Bay.

Complaints had been received about the driving of a Volvo station waggon travelling south on State highway 1 between Pae-

kakariki and Pukerua Bay and officers had been asked to watch for the car.

Lynch was given the breath-screening test and then an evidential breath test which gave a reading of 750 micrograms of alcohol a litre of breath.

Representing himself and pleading guilty, Lynch said in mitigation that he was on a strict diet at the time.

"Given the seriousness of the road toll situation and the importance the Government and Ministry attach to the situation, it is important the law be seen to be applied without favour or exception,” he said after the case.