Man jailed for 21st DUI conviction

A Bay of Plenty man has been jailed for 16 months after pleading guilty to his 21st drink-driving charge.

Richard Rowe, 46, from Waimana in eastern Bay of Plenty, was sentenced for being two-and-a-half times over the legal limit and driving while disqualified when he appeared in Hamilton District Court today, Radio New Zealand reported.

Rowe, who had 27 previous driving offences, had abused alcohol for at least 25 years and, once he started drinking, would drink until he was unable to stand, the court was told.

He had his licence disqualified indefinitely after an earlier conviction.

- NZPA