A 72-year-old Masterton man convicted of his fifth drink-driving charge has been told "the stakes are high" if he drives again.
In Masterton District Court before Judge Tony Walsh on Thursday, Ronald John McLeod pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving.
McLeod has pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving while his licence was revoked.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said that on November 19 McLeod was stopped by police driving on Johnston St and blew a reading of 578mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.
Judge Walsh said McLeod had four previous drink-driving convictions; two in 1966 and one each from 2000 and 2004.
"This is your fifth conviction for this type of offending ... you are not to drive again. It's a safety factor ... The stakes are high. If convicted of drink driving again you are likely to face a term of imprisonment."
Convicting McLeod on the drink-driving count, the judge ordered 100 hours' community work and six months' supervision. He disqualified him from driving for 12 months. McLeod is due back in court on July 7 for a hearing on the charge of driving while his licence was revoked.