Caleb Graeme Lynn, 26, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to eight charges of disqualified driving, resisting police and breaching release conditions.
Between September 14 and October 4, the defendant was seen driving eight times while disqualified and on a release condition not to drive.
At 1am on October 4, police went to his home and located Lynn in the ceiling cavity and arrested him.
While lowering himself from the ceiling, the defendant kicked out at police and tried to snatch a taser from an officer.
A police dog was used to detain him, the police summary said.
Lynn told police he knew he was disqualified and admitted he had driven on two occasions.
Yesterday, Judge Dominic Flatley said imprisonment was the only option for Lynn.
"The court expects sentences and orders to be complied with," he said.
"What’s the point in having them if people don’t comply?"
Lynn had 58 prior convictions, including 12 for disqualified driving and one for driving while suspended.
The judge acknowledged Lynn’s difficult background and drug use which he said provided context to the offending.
"That’s no excuse, you cannot continue to offend in this way," Judge Flatley said.
He sentenced Lynn to 19 months’ imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for two years.
