Killer driver back behind bars for 11th drink-drive offence

A woman police regard as one of New Zealand's worst repeat drink-driving offenders was sent back to jail today for her 11th such offence in as many years.

"You effectively shouldn't be driving for the rest of your life," Judge Louis Bidois told Papamoa mother Raquel Kiwi, 27, when he sentenced her in Tauranga District Court today to a total of 15 months behind bars.

She had been out of prison only a matter of weeks before being caught again late last year. Prior to that sentence, Kiwi had done jail time for killing her baby son and injuring four other passengers when she crashed her car in April 2004 while under the influence of alcohol.

The total of 15 months' loss of liberty imposed today was also punishment for her fifth disqualified driving conviction as well as failing to give information to police, receiving, and breaching prison release and bail conditions.

Last week, Kiwi went missing from her designated bail address at Papamoa and police found her at a Welcome Bay house hiding in a hallway cupboard, squeezed underneath the bottom shelf.

Just before the mother of two was escorted from the dock today, Judge Bidois said: "You need to reflect on your behaviour to prevent sentences of imprisonment being imposed on you in the future, Ms Kiwi."

He commented on figures released last week which showed that the Bay of Plenty had the worst record in the country for repeat drink-drive offenders.

For the year to June 30, 2007, a total of 3588 drunk drivers in the region were prosecuted. Of those, 731 had three or more convictions for drinking and driving.

Prosecutor David Pawson said Raquel Kiwi's alcohol driving offences started in 1997. The latest intoxication level was 140 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (the legal limit being 80mg).

When her driving resulted in the death of her seven-month-old son, she had an excess blood reading of 172mg and was travelling at between 140 and 150kmh when she crashed.

Kiwi's two dozen driving convictions included causing death and injury, giving false details and refusing blood, said Mr Pawson.

Lawyer Craig Tuck said his client had a very serious alcohol problem and rehabilitation would require residential treatment. Imprisonment was the only viable option.

To her credit, she had entered guilty pleas and accepted responsibility, he said.

Effectively, she was without boundaries when alcohol was involved.

Mr Tuck said Kiwi would be the first to admit she needed help.