Jail for 'appalling' driving while 4 times the limit

A recidivist drink driver has been jailed.

A repeat disqualified driver caught four times over the legal alcohol limit has been jailed for two years over a piece of dangerous driving a judge says was appalling.

Nick Jacob Virbickas, 25, was sentenced in Tauranga District Court on Monday, having pleaded guilty to a raft of driving and burglary offences.

Virbickas was also disqualified for 18 months, and ordered to pay $2200 reparation at $30 a week after being freed from prison.

The driving offences were outlined in what Judge Peter Rollo said was an "appalling" incident that put Virbickas and other road users in extreme danger.

Virbickas stole a Nissan car parked at a Te Puke address on December 14. Heading towards Tauranga, then back towards Te Puke via State Highway 29 and 2, he crashed into the back of a flat deck truck near Baypark, resulting in the Nissan sustaining extensive frontal damage and minor rear damage to the truck.

Police pursued Virbickas, who failed to stop and continued driving with a flat tyre and running on the rim until it also became flat.

Smoke billowed from the bumper, which fell off and was hanging off the car, as Virbickas veered over the centre line and cut corners. He nearly caused a head-on crash on Maungatapu Bridge after crossing into the wrong lane, reaching speeds of 120km/h on the highway and weaving over the centre line.

Turning right into Atuoroa Ave, Te Puke, the car lost traction, and he eventually stopped.

An evidential breath test gave a reading of 1261 micrograms.

Virbickas has four prior convictions for driving while disqualified. He told police he borrowed the car from a friend, and was driving because he had sore legs.

Judge Rollo told Virbickas his letter of apology was a "good one", but words were cheap and it was actions that mattered and urged him to stay motivated to tackle his alcohol and drug problems.

The judge allowed him to apply to substitute his jail sentence with home detention should a residential treatment centre placement become available.