The 63-year-old appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday and avoided a prison sentence after admitting his 13th drink-drive.
The court heard that on November 11, the defendant was stopped by police for a random alcohol and licence check.
Te Amo admitted recently consuming alcohol and breath-testing procedures revealed a breath-alcohol level of 533mcg — more than twice the legal limit.
Yesterday, Judge Deidre Orchard said while there was no bad driving involved in the offending, the defendant’s level was "certainly not low".
His 12 previous convictions caused her concern.
"His history tells me he has got a very tenacious difficulty with alcohol," the judge said.
She sentenced Te Amo to six months’ home detention.
The defendant was also disqualified from driving for one year — which was backdated to November, meaning he would effectively be disqualified for three months.
"You ought to know better by now and you also ought to know the risk that you run in terms of your own liberty if you drink and drive," Judge Orchard said.
"If he slips up again he will be almost certainly sentenced to imprisonment."
