Todd William Victor McHughes, 44, of George Town, avoided jail for his third drink-driving offence in the Launceston Magistrates Court yesterday.

He had previously pleaded guilty to drink-driving while unlicensed.

Police prosecutor Brett Steele told the court that officers intercepted McHughes in William Street, George Town, about 11pm on August 10.

Police found that McHughes had a blood-alcohol reading of 0.231 and had never held a licence.

Mr Steele said McHughes told police that he wanted to buy more alcohol.

Defence solicitor Claire Darvell said her client was a chronic alcoholic who had been "begging for help" since he was a child and suffered from various health problems.

Ms Darvell said that McHughes had complied with a suspended sentence before, when in 2011 he was jailed for five months, wholly suspended for two years, for his drink-driving.

McHughes was sentenced after he blew 0.148 in 2007 and 0.134 in 2009.

Ms Darvell said McHughes would be concerned about his health if he went to prison.

Magistrate Reg Marron read a presentence report that stated that McHughes had "no intention of giving up his alcohol" and drank "a carton of stubbies a day".

McHughes told the court that one block of beer now lasted him two days and it was only light beer.

Mr Marron said that McHughes was squandering his disability support pension on alcohol.

He jailed McHughes for four months, wholly suspended for three years, and disqualified him from driving for five years.