A man has been jailed after being convicted of drink driving for the sixth time.
Vance Kaiapa McLeod, 34, was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court yesterday to six months' prison after previously pleading guilty to drink driving, driving while disqualified and breaching a protection order.
According to the police summary of facts, he had five previous convictions for alcohol or drug impaired driving and was indefinitely disqualified from driving when he was stopped for a compulsory breath test on Old Taupo Rd in the early hours of June 1.
He returned a reading of 837 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, more than twice the legal limit.
Judge James Weir said McLeod's two most recent convictions, in 2011 and 2008, involved readings of more than 1000 micrograms.
The judge noted McLeod was gainfully employed and was considered a responsible and trustworthy employee.
However, he said McLeod had been given community-based sentences in the past which he had not complied with.
"You have to spend a time in prison this time around because [it's] recidivist offending."