A drink driver has been jailed for being four times over the limit again less than a month after he had been disqualified for blowing five times over.
Darren Read, 41, was told the high readings meant only sending him to prison would “protect the public”.
Norwich Magistrates’ Court heard he had been so drunk he had struggled to stand and slurred his words as he attempted to pay for petrol at the BP garage on Mousehold Lane in Norwich.
Police watched as he then staggered back across the forecourt and got behind the wheel of his Honda car at 11pm on June 29.
He was arrested after a breath test found his lowest reading was 146mg - four times the legal limit of 35mg.
READ MORE: Norfolk man five times limit jailed for THIRD drink driving
Lesla Small, prosecuting, said it came days into an interim driving ban after being caught drunk at the wheel and blown 168mg - almost five times the limit on May 23.
On that occasion concerned members of the public had called police to report a car driving with shredded tyres and the smell of burning rubber on Rosemary Road.
Read had been found slumped in the driver’s seat and partially collapsed on the floor.
His condition appeared to be so serious that an ambulance had to be called, the court was told.
The unemployed painter and decorator, of Cannerby Lane in Norwich, pleaded guilty to drink driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance on June 29.
He had previously admitted drink driving over the incident on May 23.
READ MORE: Norwich disqualified driver caught FIVE times over limit
Deputy District Judge Claire Furlong jailed him for 18 weeks and banned him from driving for four years.
“Rehabilitation is a strong consideration but in my view deterrence and the protection of the public is of more importance,” she said.
David Foules, mitigating, said relationship problems had seen him drive to collect belongings without thinking that he was so drunk.
“Very clearly this is a man who has problems with alcohol,” he added.
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