A Frankton resident who recorded his 14th drink-driving conviction and 13th conviction for driving while disqualified in October has been sent to prison.
Ricky James Thomas (53), painter, was sentenced to two years and two months' imprisonment by Judge Bernadette Farnham in the Queenstown District Court yesterday, after he admitted driving with a breath-alcohol level of 615mcg and driving while disqualified at Leeston, Christchurch, on October 13.
Judge Farnham said while his last drink-driving conviction was in 2008 and his last disqualified conviction was a year later, he had continued to offend in other ways over the following years, including breaching bail.
Thomas had offended over a 37-year period and a presentence report described him as ''clearly being a recidivist offender''.
''I'm sorry to have to say this, but you really are a menace on the road and a danger to other road users. You've got an appalling record ... in the district court. The community is entitled to a rest from you and your inability to control yourself.''
Previous sentences, including imprisonment, had not deterred him, Judge Farnham said.
From a starting point of 20 months' imprisonment for drink-driving and 18 months for the driving-while disqualified charge, to be served cumulatively, Judge Farnham applied discounts, taking the end sentences to 15 months and 13 months respectively.
Considering the principle of totality, she further reduced the sentence to one of two years and two months.
For drink-driving, he was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and for disqualified driving he was further disqualified for one year and one month.
Existing fines were remitted and no release conditions were imposed.
