Richard Frank Tarman from Sawtell in Coffs Harbour court for drink driving

‘Frankly sir, you should not be on the road’, the magistrate told the 72-year-old when he came before the court for his seventh drink driving related offence.

An elderly Coffs Harbour man, with what the magistrate described as an “appalling record for drink driving”, has found himself back in court for the same kind of offence.

It is Richard Frank Tarman’s seventh drink driving-related offence, prompting some strong words from magistrate Julia Virgo who told him “frankly sir, you should not be on the road” and that he has “learnt nothing” with his repeated offending.

The 72-year-old from Sawtell went out for a beer with a mate, which turned to three beers on an empty stomach, his lawyer Scott James told the court.

Mr James said his client had “indulged too much with alcohol” over the years, but as he has moved into retirement he “doesn't drink constantly”.

Richard Frank Tarman (left) leaves Coffs Harbour Local Court on October 18.

The retired carpenter and handyman moved to the area many years ago and is well known as a keen bowler, Mr James told the court.

When he was pulled over for a random breath test at Sawtell on July 7 he blew 0.093 which Mr James told the court “just creeps in to the mid range”.

Police prosecutor Sergeant David Sams told the court he had concerns in relation to Tarman’s “continuance of drink driving” and pointed out this was his seventh drink driving-related offence.

Magistrate Julia Virgo had some strong words for Tarman.

“I am obliged to say it is an appalling record for drink driving matters,” she said.

“This kind of offending does attract jail time … but on this occasion you will avoid going to jail.”

For driving with middle range concentration of alcohol second-plus offence he was convicted and fined $1000 and sentenced to a 12-month community correction order starting on October 18.

As part of the corrections order Tarman must be of good behaviour and be supervised by a community corrections officer.

He must also undertake driver education and alcohol treatment.

Due to a number of lung conditions he was not eligible for an interlock licence so has been suspended from driving for five years.