A drink driver who took out a newspaper ad to publicly apologise has won the sympathy of a judge.
Christchurch man Bay Haika was caught driving at more than four times the legal limit in December 2015 after a Christmas function.
At today's sentencing, Judge John Strettel said Haika's remorse and length of time between convictions - 19 years - helped him avoid a prison sentence.
He was instead sentenced to four months' community detention and 150 hours' community work, and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Haika emerged from the Court a happy man after receiving his punishment for drink driving handed down by the judge.
"I'm quite pleased with what happened with my sentencing today, it was quite good," he said.
When he was pulled over, Haika was four times over the breath alcohol limit.
The 55-year-old was attempting to drive a distance of a kilometre from a Christmas Party to his home.
Newshub.
