KEY POINTS:
A Tauranga man who clocked up his 7th, 8th and 9th drink-driving convictions in seven weeks has been jailed for 22 months.
Michael Kerins, 29, of Parkvale, admitted three charges each of driving with an excess breath alcohol for the third and subsequent time and driving while suspended.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to one charge each of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, theft of petrol, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and breach of community work.
The Tauranga District Court was told that between May 6 and June 19 Kerins was involved in four sets of driving- related offences. Kerins, a chronic alcoholic, was well over the adult legal alcohol limit of 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.
He was also disqualified from driving for a minimum of 18 months and had his car permanently confiscated.
