22 Sep 2015

Drink-drive mum pleads guilty

12:33 pm on 22 September 2015

Taranaki mother has pleaded guilty to multiple charges after driving through a checkpoint with four children, aged 14 and under, in her car.

Leitha Whakarau in the dock at the Hawera District Court today.

Leitha Whakarau in the dock at the Hawera District Court today. Photo: Radio NZ / Robin Martin

Leitha Adriana Whakarau appeared in the Hawera District Court this morning facing charges of ill-treatment of the children, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and driving with excess breath alcohol.

The 28-year-old failed to stop at a breath-testing checkpoint last month and led police on a short, high-speed chase, reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h

When eventually stopped the Hawera woman had a breath alcohol level more than four times the legal legal limit.

Judge John Macdonald remanded Whakarau for sentencing on 16 November.