In a recent court appearance in the Timaru District Court, Seven Sharp television reporter Julian Lee, previously under interim name suppression, has been sentenced for a drink-driving offense he committed earlier this year.
Lee, 38, had previously admitted to the charge of drink-driving, which had led to his temporary name suppression. However, this suppression was lifted on Wednesday during his sentencing, presided over by Judge Campbell Savage.
The incident occurred on May 4 when Lee was pulled over by authorities for speeding on the Temuka-Orari Highway, specifically State Highway 1, approximately 25 kilometers north of Timaru. The time of the incident was around 2:15 pm.
According to the police summary of facts, Lee disclosed to the officers that he had indulged in a heavy night of drinking the evening prior to the incident. Subsequent breath-testing procedures were conducted, and Lee’s breath test results indicated a fail, prompting him to opt for a blood test.
During his court appearance on Wednesday, it was revealed that Lee’s blood specimen recorded an alcohol level of 113 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood. This exceeded the legal limit for drivers over the age of 20, which stands at 50 milligrams per 100 milliliters.
Helen Coutts, Lee’s legal counsel from Christchurch, described him as a person of generally good character, highlighting his dedication as a hardworking individual and a responsible father. Coutts emphasized that the incident was uncharacteristic of Lee’s behavior.
Furthermore, she shed light on a significant family loss that had deeply affected Lee in the period leading up to the incident. Lee expressed his remorse for his actions during the court proceedings and offered a heartfelt apology.
