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Comedian Jon Gadsby faces sentencing just before Christmas. - Source: Fairfax -
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Christchurch comedian Jon Gadsby must complete 120 hours of community service after being sentenced for his fourth drink-driving conviction.
The 58-year-old, whose full name is Jonathan Ernest Gadsby, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving with an excess breath alcohol level last year.
He was today sentenced to 120 hours of community work, six months' supervision with an after care programme, indefinite licence disqualification and his vehicle has been confiscated.
Police said Gadsby was stopped while driving on Aikmans Road, Merivale in Christchurch at 10.43pm on June 3.
A breath-test showed his level was 1049mcg of alcohol to a litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.
Gadsby, who is a recipient of the Queen's Service Order, admitted he had drunk three glasses of wine and one glass of beer.
Judge David Saunders said Gadsby took a responsible step and arranged an alcohol treatment programme within seven days of the offence.
The judge recommended follow up care at the CAPRI programme over the next six months.
Gadsby's lawyer, Jonathan Eaton told the court Gadsby is remorseful, and argued that he driven very slowly and only a short distance to pick up groceries.
Eaton said Gadsby has suffered negative publicity and has been humiliated.
Saunders says he is satisfied that it is not necessary to restrict Gadsby's liberty by way of electronic monitoring.
He said Gadsby has been named and shamed and he took into account his charity work.
Family and friends were in the Christchurch District Court showing Gadsby their support today.
One of them was long time friend and fellow entertainer David McPhail.
Gadsby is a former editor of Christchurch's Avenues magazine, which has since been taken over by Fairfax.
Gadsby has performed in, written and produced comedy on television for more than 20 years.
His most famous series, McPhail and Gadsby, ran for seven years.
He has won Television Entertainer of the Year and been nominated for Television Actor of the Year numerous times.
Gadsby challenged police procedures when he was stopped and processed in a "booze bus" in December 2006.
But, in April 2008 he was convicted and fined $700 and disqualified from driving for six months.
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