A man with a terrible driving track record has faced a court judge once again.

He’s Jacob Mohitti Kohi, 36, who Ashburton District Court Judge Campbell Savage said had racked up an “appalling driving history”.

Judge Savage said that disqualification wasn’t the key issue in front of the court.

“It wasn’t the disqualification that was keeping him in the system, it was his manner of driving,” the judge said.

“He amassed a 10-page list [of offences] before his diagnosis was brought before the court.”

The man’s lawyer, Laurie Murdoch, said Kohi had lived a generally a sensible life.

“He’s got a partner, a stable job.”

Murdoch said that while she could defend his decision to drive, his case needed to be handled with extra care.

“For someone with FASD (foetal alcohol spectrum disorders), they can’t be treated by the court the same way as a neurotypical person.

“Someone with FASD responds really well to structure and support.”

She said Kohi had worked really hard to get his birth certificate, learners’ licence and restricted licence following his charge.

Losing his job because of this case would rock Kohi’s stability.

“It is in the interests of the public to have him legally driving, and to keep him stable.”

Police prosecutor Sasha Friese said while police remained opposed on public safety grounds, she appreciated Murdoch’s point.

“We’re still looking at someone who drove a motorbike without a licence and failed to stop.”

He had held his job since January without needing a licence so far, she pointed out.

Savage opted to use his discretion and sentenced Kohi to 40 hours of community work.

“You’ve done a lot of good work.”

A final hearing

Police were questioned after an Ashburton man appeared in court for the 10th time and received no resolution.

Samuel Alexander Bennett, 31, was charged with several forms of drug possession and for receiving stolen property earlier this year.

He had come to court for a case review hearing four times already, but lawyer Cory Shaw said he was still waiting on a disclosure from the police needed for the hearing.

Judge Savage wondered what was causing the hold up.

“This will be the fifth time case review has been postponed.

“What’s happening sergeant?”

Police sergeant Sasha Friese said she wasn’t aware of any hold ups, and said disclosures were being handled as usual.

Savage remanded Bennett and he is to reappear in late October.

“I’ve noted that it’s a final, final, final case review hearing”

Drink driving

An Ashburton man, with almost double the legal limit of alcohol in his system, despite being on a zero-alcohol licence, was given a warning by the district court judge.

Matthew Ranson, 29, was caught driving down Archibald street in Tinwald with 499 micrograms of breath alcohol in his system.

Not only was he almost double the legal limit, but he was on a zero-alcohol licence, which allows no alcohol while behind the wheel.

Judge Savage gave Ranson a warning.

“If you get caught [drink driving] between now and November, you make the sentencing judge’s job really easy.”

Ranson was remanded at large and will reappear in late November.

Recurring theft

An Allenton woman guilty of numerous thefts was told she would be sent to jail if her behaviour wasn’t corrected.

Nakeisha Bianca Henare, 31, has been in court for stealing groceries and goods from several stores.

After failing to appear during the morning list session, Judge Savage issued a warrant for her arrest.

She came into court that afternoon and the warrant was withdrawn.

Henare asked to be read each charge so she could enter pleas on her own terms.

She pleaded guilty to all seven charges.

Savage warned Henare that the court had no good graces left for her.

“There seems to be an ongoing issue with this sort of behaviour.”

“If you go out and start stealing things again, I’ll send you to jail.”

He advised her to start doing the right thing.

“I don’t expect you to make big changes overnight.

“But if you start returning negative tests, we might be able to let the supervision run its course.”

She will reappear in court to be sentenced on all matters in late November.

Fraudulent situation

A woman from Allenton appeared for receiving $80,000 that she shouldn’t have.

Senimili Vakasau Olin, 65, pleaded guilty to receiving that sum from a towing business, but lawyer Gretchen Hart sought an adjournment.

She sought it to allow time for “RJ” (restorative justice) to work with Olin and the victims before her sentencing.

Judge Savage remanded Olin, who was convicted and will reappear in mid-December for sentencing.

Shoplifting charges

An Allenton man was charged with shoplifting from a supermarket earlier this year.

Raymond Whakahau Tamatahuta Henare, 36, pleaded guilty to a shoplifting charge from July.

He will reappear in the Ashburton District Court in November.

Community charge sentencing

A Netherby woman will be resentenced after not completing community work.

Candice Joan Gordon, 35, pleaded guilty to not completing her designated community work.

Lawyer Paul Bradford said Gordon simply did not have the time to complete the required work hours.

“She’s a mother of five children, works part time, she’s just not in any position to take up community work.”

She has been convicted and will be back in court in November for a more appropriate sentencing. Her community work was cancelled by Judge Savage.

Remand without plea

A Netherby woman was in court for owning, cultivating, and supplying cannabis.

Haylee Jayne Mcgrath, 46, was remanded without plea for a hearing at the end of October.

Giving the police false information

A man from Tinwald has received a fresh charge for giving false information to the police.

Thomas Ricky Russell, 36, pleaded guilty to the charge, which follows charges of owning a bong and cannabis, and carrying a makeshift weapon.

Judge Savage convicted and discharged him for the misleading charge and ordered him to carry out 60 hours of community work for the cannabis and weapon charges.

Drug supply

A man from Hinds pleaded guilty to charges of careless driving and drug dealing in court.

Bradley Alan Scott, 31, has been remanded on bail and will reappear in the Ashburton District in mid- December.

Warrant to arrest issued

Jordan Alan Ray Turner, 25, was supposed to appear in court on charges of failing to stop for police and owning a stolen wallet and meth paraphernalia.

The Christchurch man did not come to court, and Judge Savage issued a warrant for his arrest.