Jon Gadsby. Photo The New Zealand Herald
Jon Gadsby has avoided jail for his fourth drink driving
conviction, but his lawyer said the Christchurch comedian has
suffered from being in the public spotlight.
The 58-year-old was sentenced to 120 hours' community work
and six months' supervision.
He was also disqualified from driving indefinitely and had
his vehicle confiscated by the court when he appeared before
Judge David Saunders for sentencing today.
Gadsby was caught near his Christchurch home last June with
an alcohol level two and a half times over the drink driving
limit.
Judge Saunders said imprisonment or home detention was
generally considered when someone appeared on their fourth
drink driving charge, but said he was quite satisfied Gadsby
had taken all the steps that were necessary to deal with his
situation.
Judge Saunders drew parallels between Gadsby's case and that
of recidivist Kerry Wayne Soper, whom he sentenced to two and
a-half years' imprisonment for his 17th conviction for drink
driving. The judge described Soper as a "public menace on the
roads''.
Gadsby was given credit for admitting himself to an alcohol
treatment programme within seven days of being apprehended.
Judge Saunders also said he had accepted that Gadsby had
driven only a short distance - about 300m - to drop off some
groceries from his car.
"But you knew you had been consuming alcohol in a licensed
premises.''
Gadsby's lawyer Jonathan Eaton said Gadsby had accepted a
diagnosis of alcoholism given to him last year and had taken
steps to get treatment
Mr Eaton said Gadsby was sincerely remorseful and had
suffered from being in the public spotlight
"He has been named, shamed and humiliated.''
The judge said the drink-driving may have been influenced by
stresses in his life, including the Christchurch earthquakes
Outside court, Gadsby said he had no comment to make before
being rushed away in a waiting car. Among those at court to
support him was David McPhail, his former partner in the
McPhail and Gadsby television comedy duo.
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