New Zealand's worst drink-driver re-appeared in court yesterday after allegedly breaching his release conditions.
Brian Mitchell Hart, 58, convicted 20 times for drunk driving was released from his 33rd prison sentence last month after being sentenced to 12 months in prison on two drink-driving charges in February.
He pleaded not guilty yesterday in Hastings District Court and will next appear on November 10 for a case review hearing.
Last month Hart appealed his nearly completed prison sentence so he could be placed in an alcohol rehabilitation centre.
His lawyer, John Dean, told the Court of Appeal in Auckland on August 12 that Hart's brain was "addled since drinking since he was 16", he suffered dementia, and had never received treatment for his alcohol addiction while in prison.
"He's a loner - he has spent more than half his adult life in jail," he said.
The Court of Appeal judges however, said if Hart wanted help he could receive it during release.