A garage owner has been jailed after three drink driving offences in three years including being caught five times over the limit.

Magistrates told Gary Hillier, 49, he had to be sent to prison in order to “protect the public” after he admitted recording “very high” alcohol readings on two occasions in March and July this year.  

Three years earlier, he had been banned from being behind the wheel for 34 months - which was reduced by nine months after he opted to attend a drink driving rehabilitation course, Norwich Magistrates Court heard. 

READ MORE: Norwich disqualified driver caught FIVE times over limit

The motor engineer, who owns and runs Hillier Autos in Forncett St Peter, appeared in the dock and spoke only to confirm his name.

Eastern Daily Press: Hiller was found to be four and then five times over the limitHiller was found to be four and then five times over the limit (Image: Newsquest)

Prosecutor Rima Bejum said he had been arrested on Skelton Road in Diss on July 31 at the wheel of a Citroen Berlingo van after being suspected of being drunk.

Police who undertook a breath test found his lowest reading was 169mg - almost five times the legal limit of 35mg.

It came just four months after another Citroen van he was driving while drunk was involved in a collision on Frenze Road in Diss.

On that occasion he blew 148mg - more than four times the limit. 

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Hillier, of Wacton Road in Forncett St Peter, had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of drink driving, two offences of having no insurance and driving other than in accordance with a licence and having no valid MOT. 

Eastern Daily Press: He was jailed for 16 weeks at Norwich Magistrates CourtHe was jailed for 16 weeks at Norwich Magistrates Court (Image: Newsquest)

David Foulks, mitigating, said: “He has used alcohol as a crutch because of his personal issues and money worries. He has now finally recognised he has a significant problem.”

Jailing him for 16 weeks and banning him from driving for the maximum of five years, magistrates said they had a duty to protect the public and he had shown a "lack of real remorse".

He was told he would have to take an extended driving test before being allowed back on the road.