Mum-to-be on drink charge

A heavily pregnant Rotorua woman who police allege was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit will defend the charge, saying she was fighting with a male friend in her car parked outside a party when arrested.

Rachael Moana Louise Brown, 35, pleaded not guilty at a status hearing in Rotorua District Court yesterday to excess breath alcohol and driving while disqualified on July 27.

Brown had a breath alcohol reading of 994 micrograms per litre of breath. She was eight months' pregnant at the time of the alleged offence. Her son was born three weeks ago.

Lawyer Brett Cooper told the court it was not clear whether Brown was driving the car or whether she was disqualified from driving at the time of the alleged offence. Mr Cooper said the issues needed to be discussed with police before a hearing was held.

Judge John McDonald was critical there had been no discussion between police and Mr Cooper before the status hearing.

He remanded Brown till January 14 so a hearing date can be set.

Brown said outside court that she had been at a wake after her brother-in law's funeral and had got into a fight with a male friend in her car.

The car was parked on the street outside the house where the wake was being held and the car keys were not in the ignition, she said.

"My legs were halfway out the door."