One of Tauranga's worst repeat drink-drivers has been jailed for 21-and-a-half months after he racked up his 20th drink-driving conviction.
Phillip Noble, 53, who appeared in the Tauranga District Court today, has also been disqualified from driving for a further three years from February 21 next year.
Noble earlier pleaded guilty to one charge each of drink-driving and driving while disqualified - his ninth conviction for doing so.
Noble was caught drink-driving again on April 4 this year after police clocked his speed at 176km/h on State Highway 1 in Tokoroa.
An evidential breath alcohol test revealed he was driving with an excess breath alcohol reading of 686 micrograms- the adult legal limit is 250 micrograms.
Noble's drink-driving offending began in 1981, and his 18th and 19th drink-driving offences were committed in June 2011 and August 2016.
His lawyer, Michael Toner, told Judge Christopher Harding that he had known Noble since the late 1980s and had represented him on many of his drink-driving offences.
"Mr Noble is unlikely to stop drinking nor is he likely to stop driving, but clearly it is the connection between the two which is the real concern," he said.
"Unless Mr Noble is prepared to change his attitude to doing both at the same time he will continue to be on the [prison] merry-go-round," he said.
Toner said on the positive side of the ledger, Noble was a hard worker and had a good reputation in the horticultural industry, and as a weed sprayer, he worked long hours.
"I suggest perhaps that has led to his significant alcohol consumption," he said.
Judge Harding agreed sending Noble to prison was the only option, particularly as the latest offending happened shortly after he was released from jail for the same thing.
Noble was sentenced to 18 months prison for his previous offence, the court heard.
Judge Harding said sentencing him to prison again was "regrettable" but the community deserved some relief from being endangered by Noble's repeat drink-driving.
"The pre-sentence report says you presented as one of the most egregious [outstandingly bad] examples of recidivist alcohol-impaired driving and have a highly distorted attitude to drink-driving," he said.
"It also says you have shown no contrition for your aberrant behaviour and present as a man who has a sense of entitlement and entrenched attitude to drunk-driving.
Judge Harding said Noble clearly was a person who needed to change his attitude and driving behaviours and if he did not he would continue to put the public at risk.
The judge also signed a confiscation order for Noble's vehicle.