Gadsby 'named, shamed and humiliated'

Jon Gadsby in his driveway at home PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN

Jon Gadsby has avoided jail for his fourth drink driving conviction, but his lawyer said the Christchurch comedian has suffered from being in the public spotlight.

The 58-year-old was sentenced to 120 hours community work and six months supervision.

He has also been indefinitely disqualified from driving and had his vehicle confiscated by the court when he appeared before Judge David Saunders for sentencing today.

Gadsby was caught near his Christchurch home last June, with a alcohol level two and a half times over the drink driving limit.

Judge Saunders said imprisonment or home detention was generally considered when someone appeared on their fourth drink driving charge, but said he was quite satisfied Gadsby had taken all the steps that were necessary to deal with his situation.

Judge Saunders drew parallels between Gadsby's case and that of recidivist Kerry Wayne Soper, who he sentenced to two and half years imprisonment for his 17th conviction for drink driving. The judge described Soper as a "public menace on the roads"

Gadsby was given credit for admitting himself into a alcohol treatment programme within seven days of being apprehended.

Judge Saunders also said he had accepted that Gadsby had driven only a short distance - about 300m - to drop off some groceries from his car

"But you knew you had been consuming alcohol in a licensed premises."

Gadsby's lawyer - Jonathan Eaton - said Gadsby had accepted a diagnosis of alcoholism given to him last year and had taken steps to get treatment

Mr Eaton said Gadsby was sincerely remorseful and had suffered from being in the public spotlight

"He has been named, shamed and humiliated."

The judge said the drink driving may have been influenced by stresses in his life, including the Christchurch earthquakes

Outside court, Gadsby said he had no comment to make before being rushed away in a waiting car. Among those at court to support him was David McPhail, his former partner in the McPhail and Gadsby television comedy duo.