Falling Asleep at a car

Driver who fell asleep at pump jailed for 18 months
By KIM RUSCOE - Fairfax Media and Stuff.co.nz | Thursday, 19 April 2007

A two-year-old who was left in the back seat of a car when her drunk father fell asleep while refuelling the vehicle called out "Bye, Daddy" after he was jailed for 18 months today.

At Waitakere District Court today Shannon Perenara, a 30-year-old Auckland labourer, was sentenced to 18 months in jail and disqualified from driving for three years, effective from today.

He was denied leave to apply for home detention.

The incident happened around 9am on March 24 when officers were called by a concerned Rotorua service station attendant who found Mr Perenara slumped at the petrol pump. Officers had to wait 40 minutes for him to wake up before he could be breath-tested.

The man's daughter was left unrestrained on the back seat while her father lay collapsed at the pump.

Mr Perenara tested more than four times above the legal limit, with 1729mcg of alcohol per litre of breath.

Police said at the time it was one of the highest readings in New Zealand. At Waitakere District Court today, Judge Barry Morris said he had no choice but to sentence Perenara to prison.

Judge Morris said Perenara had 23 prior convictions over nine years for offences including traffic, drugs and assault.

Included in this were six convictions involving drink driving, the first being 10 years ago, and four for driving while disqualified.

Mr Morris said that if Perenara was "stupid and irresponsible enough to endanger his own daughter then what concern does he have for us?"

Perenara showed no emotion while being sentenced but family members including his mother and his partner cried.

Perenara mouthed "I love you" to family members as he left the courtroom.

- With NZPA