An Inch Clutha man, facing his 13th drink-driving and 22nd disqualified driving convictions, was sentenced to a total of two and a-half years in prison when he appeared before Judge Paul Kellar in the Balclutha District Court yesterday.
Kim Anthony Wereta (43), fruit picker, admitted driving with a breath-alcohol level of 1089mcg on the Clutha Valley Rd and driving while disqualified at the same time on February 20.
Counsel Rona Daysh said that over the years, Wereta had served several terms of imprisonment and, on this occasion, she was calling for a short but sharp jail term on the latest charges.
Judge Kellar said he needed to impose a sentence that denounced Wereta's offending and protected the community. That was why he also decided to impose cumulative sentences.
On the disqualified driving charge, Wereta was convicted and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, while on the drink-driving charge, he was convicted and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. He was also disqualified from driving for three years from October 7 this year.
• Russell John Davidson, (52), mechanic, of Clinton, was sentenced on his seventh drink-driving offence. He was caught driving with a breath-alcohol level of 669mcg at Clinton on January 31.
A pre-sentence report examined whether home detention was suitable but Davidson could not find suitable accommodation to fulfil that sentence.
Counsel Mark Deacon asked the court to stop short of sending Davidson to prison, mainly because of the gap between his offending. His first six convictions spanned 31 years. The last three occurred over the last 20 years, with the last one eight years ago.
Judge Kellar said the report showed Davidson was still at a high risk of re-offending.
Davidson was convicted and sentenced to two months' imprisonment and disqualified from driving for one year.
