Painter's guilty plea to 16th charge of drink-driving

A Hamilton painter looks set for a term of imprisonment after pleading guilty to his 16th drink-driving charge and his 10th charge of driving while disqualified.

The Hamilton District Court heard yesterday that Kevin Earl Deighton, 62, was stopped on Te Rapa Rd on June 14 after his car was seen "weaving" over the road during the peak-hour rush. It was dark and wet at the time, and the traffic flow was described as heavy.

Deighton's evidential breath test returned a result almost double the legal limit at 746mg (the limit is 400mg). He had been disqualified from driving and his car was immediately impounded.

Crown Prosecutor Shannon-Leigh Litt said she had read the first page of Deighton's history of convictions and told Judge Denise Clark that she did not wish to continue reading.

Deighton had been "indefinitely" disqualified from driving on several previous occasions, Ms Litt said.

When asked for an explanation, Deighton told police he had "had a few beers after work".

At a previous appearance Deighton had pleaded not guilty to the charges, but yesterday he confirmed to the judge that he had changed his plea.

He said he would have legal representation at sentencing.

Judge Clark requested that a probation officer be present at the sentencing on September 26.

Deighton was remanded on bail.

* In June, the Court of Appeal rejected home detention for a man convicted of drink-driving 12 times and driving while disqualified 18 times.

Brent Fraser admitted driving with excessive blood-alcohol, driving while disqualified and giving false details.

He was sentenced to 18 months' jail and was denied leave to apply for home detention.