Jail term next time - judge

A judge has warned a Masterton man, 52, that if he appears in court on a fifth drink-driving charge he is likely going to jail.

Kirisimasi Sio, who had previously pleaded guilty to refusing a police officer's request for a blood sample when suspected of drink-driving, appeared before Judge Chris Tuohy in the Masterton District Court for sentencing on his fourth drink-driving charge.

Sio was stopped by police on September 20 and was arrested after refusing the blood request.

Judge Tuohy told Sio that if a driver refused to supply blood when suspected by an officer of drink-driving, the person at the wheel was considered to be over the legal limit, which was 250mcg of alcohol per litre of breath or 50mg per 100ml of blood.

"It's treated the same as driving with a high blood alcohol level," the judge said.

Sio had several earlier drink-driving convictions, with the most recent in 2012.

Judge Tuohy warned Sio against winding up with a fifth conviction for drink-driving.

"If you appear again, you are likely to go to prison on a charge of this nature."

Sio needed to undertake a programme to stop him from drink-driving, Judge Tuohy said.

He sentenced Sio to three months' community detention, nine months' supervision to undertake alcohol assessment and treatment as directed, and disqualified him from driving indefinitely.

People indefinitely disqualified from driving must apply to the director of Land Transport New Zealand to get their licence back.