By Emma Jolliff
The man believed to be New Zealand’s worst drunk driver has just been jailed for his 26th conviction.
Raymond Charles Laing was almost three times over the legal breath alcohol limit when he was last caught.
His car had been seen weaving all over Kennedy Rd in Napier and mounting the kerb.
It was the 31st time he had been caught driving while disqualified and this is the 12th time he has been jailed.
“You have 16 pages of criminal convictions including violence, drugs, dishonesty, drink driving and driving while disqualified,” Judge Richard Watson said in sentencing today.
The court heard how over the years, Laing has been sentenced to prison, suspended sentences, supervision, periodic detention – but nothing has deterred him from drink driving.
Laing faced a maximum of four years’ jail, but got an automatic discount for an early plea. He will serve three years in jail; 18 months for drunk driving and 18 for driving while disqualified.
Laing has been disqualified for a further five years.
“That’s the maximum sentence I’m able to impose,” Judge Watson said.
In a letter to the judge, Laing said when he last got out of prison he tried for nine weeks to get counselling.
“Events around you culminated in perhaps, depression, and you reverted to what you knew best – consuming alcohol – and you made the poor choice to drive,” Judge Watson said.
Laing is believed to be New Zealand’s worst drink-driving offender.
“As the ads say; he’s a bloody idiot,” says Police prosecutor Sergeant Malcolm Lochrie.
“One day they’re going to kill someone. Let’s hope it’s not one of ours.”
Alcohol counsellor Roger Brooking says such reoffending proves there is a problem with the justice system.
“I would like to see compulsory drug and alcohol assessments on every driver on his second offence within a 10-year period.
The Sensible Sentencing Trust says repeat drunk drivers should be treated like violence offenders; because while their choice of weapon is different, the outcome is often the same.
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