Drunk driver appears drunk in court

A New Zealand woman appearing in court for sentencing yesterday on her eighth drink-driving offence was sent to the cells overnight to sober up. Rachael Brown, 38, was heavily pregnant when she was arrested last July after dodging a checkpoint on Edmund Rd, Rotorua.

She recorded a breath alcohol reading of 994 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - nearly 2-1/2 times the legal limit. Brown was due for sentencing in Rotorua District Court yesterday but did not turn up. Her lawyer, Brent Cooper, eventually tracked her down after an adjournment.

Brown smelt strongly of alcohol as she walked to the dock grinning at supporters in the public gallery. She was barely able to stand in the dock after being seen earlier outside the court drinking cask wine with a friend.



Judge James Weir told Brown she was too intoxicated to be sentenced. "I'm not prepared to sentence you as you appear to be intoxicated. I'm remanding you in custody overnight to sober up."

She has never held a driver's licence. The latest conviction is her eighth for drink-driving and 15th for driving while disqualified. She was seven months pregnant at the time of her arrest. The baby, now seven-months-old, lives with another family member.

Brown told police she had driven because "she was the least pissed" of the three people in the car.

Ms Brown was eventually sentenced to a year in prison.