June 13 last year started well for Frankie Goodwin.
The 20-year-old student scored the first goal for the South City Royals, setting the tone for a 12-0 rout over Northern on the day they claimed the Dunedin men’s football premiership.
A few hours and more than a few drinks later, he slammed a BMW, with two of his mates inside, into a bus shelter and lighting pole in Butts Rd, causing nearly $30,000 of damage.
When police arrived, Goodwin told them he was on a restricted licence and it was the first time he had ever driven drunk.
His breath-alcohol level was 1066mcg.
The legal limit is 250mcg.
Goodwin appeared in the Dunedin District Court this month after admitting charges of drink-driving and careless driving.
Counsel Brian Kilkelly said his client had over-indulged in the post-match celebrations and accepted "the silliness of his actions".
Mr Kilkelly highlighted the "extraordinary" amount of reparation sought by the Dunedin City Council, particularly given the fact Goodwin was studying and not in full-time work.
Community magistrate Simon Heale imposed reparation of $5000, initially to be paid at $5 a week.
That could be increased once Goodwin was able to afford more, the court heard.
It would be a decision for the council as to whether it pursued the defendant civilly to recoup the other $25,000.
Goodwin was sentenced to six months’ supervision and disqualified from driving for 28 days; alcohol-interlock licence provisions would follow.
