A Newnham man has narrowly avoided jail after driving more than three times over the legal alcohol limit.
Initially the Launceston Magistrates Court heard Peter Robert Newson, who pleaded guilty, had been driving with an alcohol reading of 0.108, until he interrupted the police prosecutor.
"I've got the paper work at home, it's 0.178," he told magistrate Robert Pearce who amended the charge.
The court heard the 66-year-old pensioner drove to Mowbray to buy cigarettes last November after drinking about 25 cans of beer.
A police car spotted Newson and tried to pull him over but he kept driving until he got home.
In court Newson said he was not a target of a random breath test but "somebody rang (police) and told them I was drinking".
When police checked his licence they discovered Newson was meant to be totally alcohol-free when driving. His licence had also been suspended.
"It's over a damn parking fine, honestly," he said.
The court heard Newson had six prior convictions for drink-driving.
He said he'd been "very foolish" but had never hurt anyone when drink-driving.
"That's probably just good luck though, isn't it Mr Newson," Mr Pearce said.
He said he would be inclined to order Newson "serve an immediate custodial sentence" if four of his drink- driving convictions hadn't occurred more than 20 years ago.
Newson was sentenced to seven months' jail, wholly suspended for three years, and had his licence disqualified for four years."I got rid of my car ... I don't want to drive again in my life," he said.