Jail looms for 72-year-old drink driver

Masterton pensioner Ronald John McLeod, 72, was convicted on his fifth drink driving charge and warned prison was likely should he be again convicted for the same crime.

A 72-year-old Masterton man convicted of his fifth drink-driving charge has been told "the stakes are high" if he drives again.

In Masterton District Court before Judge Tony Walsh on Thursday, Ronald John McLeod pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving.

McLeod has pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving while his licence was revoked.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said that on November 19 McLeod was stopped by police driving on Johnston St and blew a reading of 578mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.

Judge Walsh said McLeod had four previous drink-driving convictions; two in 1966 and one each from 2000 and 2004.

"This is your fifth conviction for this type of offending ... you are not to drive again. It's a safety factor ... The stakes are high. If convicted of drink driving again you are likely to face a term of imprisonment."

Convicting McLeod on the drink-driving count, the judge ordered 100 hours' community work and six months' supervision. He disqualified him from driving for 12 months. McLeod is due back in court on July 7 for a hearing on the charge of driving while his licence was revoked.