Drunk man's car to be seized from new owner

A new car owner is set to have his car confiscated after the previous owner was caught for drink-driving.

The drink-driver was caught by police when his car ran out of fuel, but now a judge's order to seize the offending Subaru could leave the new owner carless.

Blenheim man Chase Lum was pulled over by police on October 21 where he gave a breath test of 981 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, a police summary said.

The legal limit is 250mcg.

The driver admitted drink-driving when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court on Monday, but the judge had a message for the new car owner: "The new owner can argue the toss".

Lum's lawyer said the new owner would have to ask Lum for his money back as there has been no court order to pay the new owner back.

Lum also admitted to disorderly behaviour and assault after a drunken altercation on September 16.

He was also charged with theft after he stole tobacco from a store on September 28.

Lum was convicted on all charges.