Brendon Robert Hunter (29) was at a Dunsdale picnic area with his partner about 10pm on New Year’s Eve, when he became involved in a verbal argument.
With no reception in the area, Hunter then drove off with his partner and eventually flagged down a person at the Lorneville roundabout in Invercargill, telling them he had been stabbed and to call the police.
His partner could not drive as she had no licence, had also been drinking and might not have been capable of towing a trailer, Judge Brandts-Giesen said.
Hunter then got back in the car and drove himself to hospital with his partner in the car, with the person who assisted them following behind.
When he reached the hospital he was covered in blood, the judge said.
Police were later notified by someone who suspected Hunter had driven drunk.
When police spoke to Hunter he became aggressive and hostile towards them.
He was breath-tested and returned a breath-alcohol reading of 589mcg.
Counsel Olivia Taylor entered submissions seeking a section 81 on behalf of Hunter, which allows for no disqualification to be imposed because of special circumstances.
Judge Brandts-Giesen said it was fear which caused Hunter to drive.
"Here we have a couple who wanted to go camping overnight, who had no intention of moving anywhere that night.
"You were attacked on New Year’s Eve by others and it is understandable that fear drove you to leave after you had been injured and your vehicle had been damaged."
The judge took the unusual step of neither disqualifying Hunter nor imposing any penalty on him in relation to the aggravated drink-driving charge.
Hunter, who pleaded guilty at an earlier appearance, was convicted and discharged.
