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Serial drink driver applies for home detention
A serial drink driver rode his new Harley Davidson at 180km/h trying to outrun police on his way to the pub while nearly three times over the breath-alcohol limit, Palmerston North District Court was told.
Devon Harris, 42, builder, with more than 20 driving convictions, including 11 for drink-driving, was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment by Judge Nevin Dawson in Palmerston North District Court yesterday on charges of drink-driving, dangerous driving and failing to stop. He was also banned from driving for two years.
Harris was granted a two-month deferment of the prison sentence while an application for home detention is considered by the parole board.
Defence counsel Fergus Steedman told the court Harris had that day been to the funeral of a close friend who had committed suicide. He and other mourners had gone to a city bar to "talk things over".
Harris had earlier made the decision not to take his motorcycle, but some good-natured ribbing from friends had forced him to relent.
His client now realised how "achingly stupid" that decision was.
Judge Dawson agreed with Harris' self-assessment, slamming his driving as "manifestly excessive and dangerous".
"It is quite clear you were not safe to drive on that night. You put yourself in danger, but you also put at risk members of the public, and that's simply not acceptable."
- NZPA
