By Annabelle Tukia
One of New Zealand’s best-known comedians has avoided going to jail after being caught drink-driving for the fourth time.
Jon Gadsby, one half of the comedic duo McPhail and Gadsby, was stopped less than 300 metres from his home and was more than twice the legal breath alcohol limit.
Now, he has been suspended from driving indefinitely.
He became a household name because of his comedic wit, but there was no joking around as he turned up at the Christchurch District Court for sentencing for his fourth drink-driving conviction.
Gadsby was caught in June 2011 with an alcohol level two-and-a-half times the legal limit.
His lawyer, Jonathan Eaton, told the court his client had only driven 300 metres when he was stopped.
“After an evening out drinking he decided to drive home and there had been a checkpoint in close proximity to his home,” he said.
The court was told that within seven days of being charged, the former New Zealand Entertainer of the Year sought treatment with an alcohol programme.
Judge Saunders said that had to be taken into consideration as part of his sentencing.
“You have faced up to the consequences of that offending by going through that programme, which was a residential one.”
He sentenced Gadsby to six months supervision, 120 hours community service and suspended him from driving indefinitely.
Gadsby’s long-time friend, Mr McPhail, was in court to support him and says he wasn’t surprised by the sentence, saying it was “fair and reasonable”.
Gadsby made no comment to waiting media as he left.
3 News