Court told of river plunge

Press, 27 January 1986, Page 26

Court told of river plunge

PA Dunedin A man cried “Rape” and plunged into the swirling Clutha River to avoid a breath test, the District Court at Balclutha has been told. Darrel Fraser Johnston, aged 35, a freezing worker of Kaka Point, pleaded not guilty to charges of driving with an excess blood alcohol level, refusing to accompany a traffic officer, and failing to indicate a turn. Traffic Officer Rob Dewar said he had stopped Johnston on November 23 when he failed to indicate a left turn. Johnston had shown signs of intoxication and refused to blow into the breath-test bag.

When told to accompany the officer to the Balclutha police station,

Johnston said he would have to decline as he had to take his wife to work. As the officer tried to arrest him, Johnston ran away shouting “Assault. Rape.” He jumped into the Clutha River but was caught in a whirlpool. However, he managed to hold on to a tree stump before emerging 10 minutes later, when he was arrested. A breath test recorded a level of 550 mg. Judge Willy fined Johnston $450, with costs of $35, and disqualified him from driving for nine months on the excess alcohol charge.

For failing to accompany a traffic officer, Johnston was fined $3OO, costs $35, and was disqualified for nine months, concurrent.