Recidivist drink-driver loses licence for good

An alcoholic with a "shocking" history of drink-driving is unlikely to get his licence back, according to a Rotorua judge.

Gerard Francis Stieller, 59, was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court yesterday to six months' home detention after previously pleading guilty to drink-driving and driving while disqualified.

According to the police summary of facts, police received a number of calls about Stieller's driving on Fairy Springs Rd on June 20. When he was stopped, leaving KFC, he was unsteady on his feet, slurring his words and was forgetful.

He told police he knew he shouldn't have been driving, but he was hungry. He was tested at more than twice the legal limit.

Stieller had been indefinitely disqualified from driving in 2004 after five drink-driving convictions.

Stieller's lawyer, Brian Foote, said his client acknowledged he was an alcoholic and "that's really his lot in life".

Judge James Weir told Stieller he had been disqualified for good reason.

"You are a ... danger and menace on the road," he said.

Judge Weir said Stieller would not be able to drive again until he had satisfied authorities he was an appropriate person to drive. "It seems to me that's probably not likely to happen."

Stieller was ordered to pay $203 for blood test costs.