A restaurant manager who was caught drink-driving after crashing into five parked cars in Queenstown has been granted a renewal of his manager's certificate.
In April 2018, Bibin Varghese was driving east on Dart Pl in Fernhill, where he clipped three parked cars, before continuing and subsequently crashing into the rear of another parked vehicle, which then hit another car.
The 28-year-old, who has been working at Bombay Palace for almost two years, had a breath-alcohol level of 811mcg and was suspended from driving for eight months. He paid about $8000 in fines and reparation.
On Wednesday, the Queenstown District Licensing Committee Hearing was told Mr Varghese needed to renew his manager's certificate to apply for a new work visa to stay in New Zealand, or risk returning to his native India.
The application was opposed by police, who questioned his ability to make wise decisions on people under his management in terms of preventing alcohol-related harm.
Mr Varghese's lawyer explained how his client had not consumed alcohol since the incident and "understands the seriousness of the situation".
The committee decided to renew the certificate on the provisions he only works at Bombay Palace and undertakes a six-week stand-down period.
- A 22-year-old woman working at Beanie Cafe in Wanaka had her manager's certificate application hearing adjourned for 12 months.
Angela Daw was clocked driving 109kmh in a 60kmh zone on State Highway 1 in Hamilton in 2017. She had an alcohol reading over 700mcg.
Miss Daw was visibly emotional when she told the committee she was in a violent relationship at the time of the incident, but had since left the relationship and turned her life around.
The committee congratulated her on "getting through it" and adjourned the hearing for one year, meaning she can continue working as a temporary duty manager.
- A man applying for his manager's certificate failed to appear because his "car blew up" on the way to court from Wanaka.
Police were against Christopher O'Carroll's request because he did not disclose previous convictions when filling out the application form.
Mr O'Carroll (28) has 46 recorded convictions between April 2008 and August 2016.
Mr O'Carroll, who works for a Wanaka hospitality company, did not let anyone know about the car trouble until court staff phoned him to find out where he was.
The committee declined the application and said "it is clear to us that Mr O'Carroll will not be an asset to the hospitality industry".
