The court’s new Covid-19 procedures were tested immediately when Dunedin’s first case of the day featured an "anti-vaxxer".
Michael David Lee (60) was set to appear for a judge-alone trial yesterday on a charge of dangerous driving.
Counsel Joe O’Neill described his client as "an anti-vaxxer" and told Judge Michael Turner the man was unable to enter the Dunedin District Court.
Yesterday marked the first day of the Ministry of Justice’s "Covid-19 Protection Framework".
Those entering courthouses around the country must:
- Show a vaccine pass; or
- Provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test administered from the last 72 hours; or
- Provide evidence of a negative rapid antigen test from the last 24 hours
"The first case of the day," remarked Judge Turner wryly.
But ultimately, Lee’s vaccination status had little bearing on the court proceeding.
Police lowered the charge to one of careless driving and Mr O’Neill entered a guilty plea on behalf of the absent defendant.
The court heard Lee was heading south towards Dunedin on State Highway1 in his Toyota van on January 30 last year when his conduct sparked concern among other drivers.
Witnesses were so worried about the defendant’s excessive speed and erratic overtaking they followed him until police intervened.
Lee was apprehended in Stuart St where he told police he committed the unsafe manoeuvres because other motorists had sped up in passing lanes.
The judge noted a history of errant driving stretching back to the 1990s and said the man was lucky police had taken a lenient stance.
Mr O’Neill said the inevitable driving ban would have an impact on his client, who was the sole carer for his 88-year-old mother.
Lee was disqualified for three months, fined $600 and ordered to pay $130 court costs.
