Recidivist drink driver Raymond Laing has been sentenced for his 26th drink driving offence in Napier District Court today, receiving three years in prison.
It was the maximum sentence the judge could impose, totalling two years for drunk driving and two for driving while disqualified, reduced due to a guilty plea.
His early guilty plea and acceptance of responsibility were acknowledged by Judge Watson, but due to the "serious risk to the safety of the community" he posed, the maximum possible sentence was handed down.
The judge also noted previous prison sentences had not deterred him from reoffending, and he had a record totalling "16 pages of previous criminal convictions". It was the 26th time he had been caught drink driving, and the 31st time driving while disqualified.
He was also disqualified from driving indefinitely.
