A man on his 12th drink-driving conviction has been called a "ticking timebomb" by a Rotorua judge.
James Merito, 33, was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court on Thursday to 18 months' prison after previously pleading guilty to driving with excess breath alcohol - for the 12th time.
Lawyer Tim Braithwaite said his client was extremely remorseful, although his history might not indicate that.
"He is not a bad man, he just has a serious problem with alcohol and a serious problem with driving when he has been drinking," Mr Braithwaite said.
Judge Chris McGuire told Merito he was "basically a ticking timebomb" who could end up killing himself or someone else.