Sock used to bypass device, drink-drive
Photo: file
A Dunedin man used a rudimentary technique involving a sock to defeat an alcohol interlock device, leaving a judge "astounded".
Conor Scott Lawson, 32, appeared in the Dunedin District Court on Friday after earlier admitting his sixth drink-driving offence, fifth breach of licence conditions, committing a threatening act and wilful damage.
The court heard that on March 3 last year, the defendant had been drinking at a party when he got into an argument and wanted to leave.
He got into his car, which was fitted with an alcohol interlock device, but the use of a sock meant he was able to bypass the system.
Lawson then drove down High St, but failed to give way at an intersection, forcing a police patrol vehicle to take evasive action.
As police turned around, the defendant fled.
He was eventually caught in Serpentine Ave, and exited the car with his hands in the air.
A blood test revealed a blood-alcohol level of 114mg — the legal limit is 50mg, but zero on an alcohol interlock licence.
The defendant confessed he had used a sock to defeat the device and drive.
While on bail for that offending, on May 1 last year, Lawson got into an argument with his then-partner as she was receiving messages from a "potential suitor".
He accused her of being a cheater and broke her cellphone.
The victim left, and while she was away Lawson defaced the flat.
With a whiteboard marker he wrote "cheater" in a number of places and damaged wine glasses, a photo frame and upended house plants.
Judge David Robinson said alcohol was an issue for the defendant and was surprised he was able to beat the alcohol interlock device.
"I'm astounded that a simple measure like that is able to overcome a device which is ... intended to keep the public safe."
The judge was also concerned Lawson continued to drink and drive despite completing The Right Track programme — a highly effective course with an 80% non-recidivism rate.
While this offending marked his first convictions for family violence, they needed to be his last.
"These reflect issues of power and control, [and] a possessive attitude toward women."
Judge Robinson sentenced Lawson to seven months' home detention and ordered him to pay reparation of $1000 for the phone he broke.
He disqualified the defendant from driving for 12 months and one day, after which he would be back on the alcohol interlock licence, and ordered him to pay the blood-analysis fee of $212.
felicity.dear@odt.co.nz
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Police accused of racial profiling over machete stop
A gardener is handcuffed after he was spotted carrying a machete in Opoho on Wednesday. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON A gardener handcuffed for carrying a machete in a leafy Dunedin suburb was a victim of racial profiling, the woman who hired him believes. On Wednesday, a Colombian refugee went to a woman's home in Windsor St, Opoho, to do some yard work, the woman told the Otago Daily Times. He was carrying a machete half covered in his bag as it did not fit, which prompted a member of the public to report the man to police. "He doesn't speak English. He's been here seven months so there are many things he doesn't know about the local culture," the woman, who is also Colombian, said. Machetes were one of the most common gardening tools in Latin America, the woman said. The man was scared, did not know what was going on and was unable to explain why he had the machete to police. Police choosing to come and ask her to translate for the man made all the difference. "It was solved just because we could talk — I could talk to him and I could talk to police. If there was nobody to translate, he would have been taken to jail." The man now had a larger bag that completely covered the machete from view. The woman said she did not believe police would have been called if it had been a well-dressed "white" person carrying a machete in a bag. "He's obviously not wealthy, he was trying to make a buck, he's dark-skinned and he's got curls, and he was dressed as a working person — there's a bias." Acting Sergeant Matt Nichols said police yesterday received a report from a member of the public about a man in Opoho Rd "carrying a machete". Police located the man — who spoke limited English — in Windsor St, found the machete along with other tools and handcuffed him. When speaking to the man, it was found he was a gardener and the machete was part of his gardening tools. He was carrying it in the open as it did not fit in his toolbox, Acting Sgt Nichols said. Once everything was cleared up, he was released and given prevention advice. "[It] looks bad, but you've got to take it to context that when we see a guy with a machete, we're always going to put him in handcuffs before we talk to him about what's going on," Acting Sgt Nichols said.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Farmer guilty of severe animal abuse gets further ban
A negligent Otago dairy farmer has been banned from owning animals for another five years after failing to get rid of her livestock. Carolyn Sybil Ireland came before the Dunedin District Court in 2022, where a catalogue of severe animal abuse was detailed. Animal welfare inspectors found dead and emaciated livestock across her 180ha Omimi property, and Ireland was fined $15,000 and ordered to pay veterinary fees of more than $11,000. She was banned from owning animals for five years, but the Ministry for Primary Industries gave her two months to muster her remaining cattle and transport them off the farm. The court yesterday heard Ireland tasked a stock agent to sell them but, due to "poor fencing, wild-natured cattle, chronic poor management and various logistical problems", the deadline was not met. In April 2023, the defendant was given a letter re-emphasising the need to clear her property of the remaining stock. But the herd continued to grow. Court documents said there were further failed attempts to muster the cattle and some were reportedly shot by helicopter. Fifteen were finally "destocked" in September that year, but it was not enough. Another letter was sent to Ireland encouraging her to contact stock agents or home-kill operators, and warned her of the consequences of non-compliance. By April 2024 — 18 months after her court appearance — animal welfare inspectors used a drone to locate at least 60 cattle. Ireland had not been trying to keep the stock, she said, "it's just simply that they have been difficult to get in." There was limited success in July when 60 cattle were penned by a local farmer and removed from the site but some evaded mustering. Finally, a couple of months later, Ireland leased her property to another farmer to run his stock on the hill block once all hers was removed. To make it worse, the ministry said, the defendant had failed to comply with identification and tracing regulations as well as tuberculosis testing during the period. Counsel Andrew Belcher told the court Ireland was "very, very remorseful to be here, and ashamed". "Everything's gone now. She realises that's it for any further livestock," he said. Judge David Robinson convicted Ireland of contravening a disqualification order under the Animal Welfare Act and banned her from animal ownership for another five years. Dairy debacle Sept 2021: Inspectors find nine dead cattle and many severely emaciated at Ireland's property, following numerous interventions since 2013. Oct 2022: She is fined $15,000, ordered to pay vet costs of $11,179 and banned from animal ownership for five years. Apr 2023: Ireland's herd continues to grow despite attempts to destock, some shot by helicopter. Sept: Fifteen cattle removed from the farm. Dec: Ireland is warned by the ministry about non-compliance with the ownership ban. Apr 2024: Inspectors use a drone to locate at least 60 cattle on the loose. Jul: A local farmer pens 60 but some evade mustering. Oct: Ireland leases her property to another farmer. Jun 2025: The court imposes another five-year disqualification on animal ownership.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Cops called on Dunedin gardener using machete
A gardener being handcuffed after he was spotted carrying a machete in Opoho yesterday. Photo: Gregor Richardson A gardener using a machete in Opoho found himself in handcuffs after a worried member of the public called the police. Police yesterday received a report from a member of the public about a man in Opoho Rd ''carrying a machete'', Acting Sergeant Matt Nichols said. Police located the man — who spoke limited English — in Windsor St, found the machete along with other tools and handcuffed him. When speaking to the man, it was found he was a gardener and the machete was part of his gardening tools. He was carrying it in the open as it did not fit in his toolbox, Sgt Nichols said. Once everything was cleared up, he was released and given prevention advice. ''[It] looks bad, but you've got to take it to context that when we see a guy with a machete, we're always going to put him in handcuffs before we talk to him about what's going on,'' Sgt Nichols said.
