Man found slumped over in car with bottle of Scrumpy jailed
A Dunedin man has been jailed after he was found slumped over in his car with a bottle of Scrumpy between his legs.
Joseph Brett Isaac Morris, 37, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to his sixth charge of drink-driving, three charges of suspended driving, resisting police and breaching a zero-alcohol licence.
The court heard that on November 17, police received a call about a man slumped over in his car with a bottle of Scrumpy between his legs.
The defendant was in the carpark with his engine running and had been there for about two hours drinking.
After police arrived, Morris failed a passive breath test and was required to accompany officers to the station for further testing.
The defendant punched the steering wheel multiple times saying "f... ".
When police tried to handcuff him, he told them to "get f....." and slapped the officers' hands.
An evidential breath test revealed Morris had a breath-alcohol level of 899mcg — more than three times the legal limit.
He claimed he had not been driving.
While on bail for that offending, Morris drove while his licence was suspended three times in a week.
Judge Michael Turner said that showed "complete disregard or contempt for the law".
He highlighted Morris had a history of drink-driving and suspended driving.
Counsel Sarah Cochrane said her client had a place at a residential rehabilitation facility lined up for September.
Judge Turner sentenced Morris to 12 months' imprisonment which would see him released in time to attend the programme.
Morris was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and one day.
felicity.dear@odt.co.nz , Court reporter
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