Man says he forgot he could not drive

A Glenorchy man caught behind the wheel with an "extraordinarily high" alcohol level has told a judge he forgot he was forbidden from driving.

David Charles Alexander Kirkwood, 62, caretaker, was stopped by police in Marks Rd, Haast, on July 24.

A subsequent blood test gave a result of 317mg, more than six times the legal limit and equivalent to a breath-alcohol level of 1585mcg.

At his sentencing in the Queenstown District Court on Monday on charges of drink-driving and driving while forbidden, Kirkwood told Judge Russell Walker he had some "slight memory problems", and had forgotten he should not have been driving.

"I’m sorry for what’s happened."

Prosecuting sergeant Ian Collin said he had received an "insightful" email from a member of the community saying support was now in place for the defendant.

Counsel Tanya Surrey said Kirkwood lived in a Bedford house bus, but it would soon be rendered inoperable.

Judge Walker said the blood-alcohol level was "phenomenal", but he would take a rehabilitative approach to sentencing.

Reminding Kirkwood to "stay off the road", he disqualified him from driving for 13 months, after which he would be subject to a zero-alcohol licence.

He also imposed 12 months’ intensive supervision to enable intervention for the defendant’s addiction issues.