Nelson Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
Wednesday 22 February 2023
Opera hits right note The biggest crowd in a decade turned out for New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Opera in the Park on Saturday. Nelson City Council manager community services, Andrew White, say 7300 tickets were sold for the event, that saw Kiwi heavyweights Stan Walker and Annie Crummer take to the stage in front of the packed crowd.
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Chloe Loftus performs while suspended during Opera in the Park. Photo: Evan Barnes .
Drunk driver: ‘I won’t do it again’ TRACY NEAL
Open Justice Reporter
The sparkling future held by the young woman in the dock was left almost in tatters after just one night out drinking. As she stood before the judge, waiting to hear her fate for driving drunk, not even the crisp corporate outfit could hide her crumbling pride.
“I just felt so embarrassed and nervous about what was going to happen. I’ve never felt that much anxiety,” the woman, who is in her 20s, told Open Justice outside court. Sonia* escaped conviction for offences she had earlier admitted, including driving while more than four times the legal limit, resisting police and assaulting an officer.
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The relief was evident in her quick step from the courtroom in Nelson last week. She has agreed to share her experience in the hope it prevents others from drinking and driving, and also to explain how easy it can happen when you’re not thinking straight. “I do think about what would have happened if I’d hit someone, and I can’t describe how it makes
me feel. “I’ve learned a lot from this, and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone else.” A mix of shock, upset and alcohol was behind her impulsive decision to leave the bar where she’d been having fun with colleagues at an industry get-together on a night out last October. Unwanted attention described as an assault by a man she didn’t
know, left her sobbing in the bathroom, trying desperately to reach her partner who was at the time out of town. “I tried to call him but all I was thinking was that I had to get out of the situation I was in. “I could have got a taxi, but I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time.
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