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Rebecca Leonie Gerrard stole a police car and sped off, crashing into three parked vehicles before stopping. (File photo)
A 42-year-old woman caused approximately $ 50,000 worth of damage when she stole a police car while under the influence of alcohol, drove erratically at high speeds through the streets of Christchurch and crashed into three parked vehicles.
Rebecca Leonie Gerrard was sentenced in Christchurch District Court Tuesday for her drunken antics, which her attorney described as a “spectacular fall from grace.”
She was found guilty of illegally taking a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol in her blood, and escaping from police custody.
Police received reports from concerned members of the public on Aug. 8 last year, after it was noted that Gerrard was struggling to back out of a driveway off Wainoni Rd in Avondale.
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When the police arrived, she refused to take a breath test and was placed in the back seat of a police car.
As the police officer walked around the car to the driver’s door, Gerrard got into the front of the vehicle and closed the doors. The officer tried to break a window, but Gerrard sped off.
He drove up to 100 km / h in a speed zone of 50 km / h with the lights of the patrol vehicle flashing.
At an intersection, Gerrard was unable to turn the curve and the car flew into the air when it hit a roundabout. Soon after, he collided with three vehicles that were parked on the side of the road.
A blood test later showed that Gerrard’s blood alcohol level was 212 mg per 100 ml of blood at the time. The legal limit is 80 mg.
It was not his first brush with the law. In 2018, she was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and in 2006 she was charged with refusing to provide the police with a blood sample.
Judge John Brandts-Giesen sentenced Gerrard to six months of house arrest and 12 months of intensive supervision. She was disqualified from driving for six months, after which she will be able to apply for an alcohol lockout license.
Gerrard was also ordered to pay a total $ 1,650 repair to the owners of the three vehicles in which he crashed, as well as a $ 500 repair to the police.
Judge Brandts-Giesen reprimanded Gerrard, saying it was “pure luck” that someone had not been killed.
“You are the mother of four children… and you have been a terrible example to them.
“Those of us who are parents have to behave, not only because the law requires it, but also to be the best example we can for our children.
“The problem is that if they end up visiting you in jail, you know very well that in your old age you will end up visiting them in jail. That’s what the cycle of bad examples and [substance] abuse does. “
He ordered Gerrard to complete any drug and alcohol treatment program as instructed by his probation officer.
