November 19, 2025
A Timaru woman found herself in court for drink driving after calling the police for help.
Melissa Jane Hogg-Edgeler, 35, had been out drinking in late October before a situation arose.
“[She] was with some people, one of whom had become extremely intoxicated, and she wanted to distance herself,” lawyer Clare Yardley said.
The police were called to help deal with that intoxicated person originally.
“Unwisely, because she had a lot on board herself, she moved her car… so the intoxicated person was not able to locate her.”
Police noticed the car had been moved and subsequently breath tested her producing a result of 892 micrograms, over double the criminal limit.
“You admitted you’d been drinking alcohol and had been driving to a safer spot,” Magistrate Sally O’Brien said.
“You were getting your car away from someone, who was causing more problems.”
Her breath alcohol reading was extremely high, O’Brien said, and the resulting sentence would impact her ability to drive.
“You’re going to have at least four years where you cannot drive with any alcohol at all.”
Hogg-Edgeler was sentenced to the alcohol interlock provisions and ordered to pay a fine and court costs.
A Timaru woman found herself in court for drink driving after calling the police for help.
Melissa Jane Hogg-Edgeler, 35, had been out drinking in late October before a situation arose.
“[She] was with some people, one of whom had become extremely intoxicated, and she wanted to distance herself,” lawyer Clare Yardley said.
The police were called to help deal with that intoxicated person originally.
“Unwisely, because she had a lot on board herself, she moved her car… so the intoxicated person was not able to locate her.”
Police noticed the car had been moved and subsequently breath tested her producing a result of 892 micrograms, over double the criminal limit.
“You admitted you’d been drinking alcohol and had been driving to a safer spot,” Magistrate Sally O’Brien said.
“You were getting your car away from someone, who was causing more problems.”
Her breath alcohol reading was extremely high, O’Brien said, and the resulting sentence would impact her ability to drive.
“You’re going to have at least four years where you cannot drive with any alcohol at all.”
Hogg-Edgeler was sentenced to the alcohol interlock provisions and ordered to pay a fine and court costs.
