Jail for man who was 'so drunk he should be dead'

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A man caught drink driving with an alcohol level so extreme police said he should have been clinically dead has been sentenced to jail.

Hardeep Paanu, 51, appeared in Tauranga District Court today on several drink driving charges relating to three separate incidents.

He was sentenced to 6 months' jail.

On July 19 Paanu recorded a blood alcohol level of 399 milligrams per litre of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

Motorists reported Paanu's erratic driving to police.

On July 27 Paanu was again caught drink driving, this time with an alcohol level 1429 micrograms per litre of breath.

The legal limit is 400mcg.

On August 5 he was caught again but refused to have his alcohol level tested and refused to accompany police officers back to Tauranga police station.