Two drivers with 47 convictions in court

Two Christchurch men who between them have a staggering 47 convictions for driving while serving driving bans have appeared in court.

Frank Stubbings, 45, faces a charge of driving while disqualified for a 24th time and was warned by a Judge Paul Kellar that jail was "beyond an inevitability".

The Bryndwr caregiver was bailed in spite of fears by police that he will reoffend.

Police prosecutor Stephen Burdes said there was a "public safety issue" in letting Stubbings go, considering his horrendous record which includes offending while on bail.

Judge Kellar said he was satisfied Stubbings was not a flight risk and remanded him on bail until later this month "by the narrowest of margins."

But he added that he was almost certainly going to be jailed if convicted for his 24th driving while disqualified charge.

Judge Kellar expressed surprise that Stubbings received only community work for his 22nd and 23rd convictions.

Also before the court was Shaun Lawrence, another recidivist disqualified driver who was granted a registrar's remand.

Lawrence, 30, of Hoon Hay, outdid even Stubbings, in spite of his younger years, by being charged with driving while disqualified for a remarkable 25th time.

Lawrence was caught in a police checkpoint in Curletts Rd.

He tried to avoid detection, police say, by giving his brother's details.

But when officers found his true identity, they were stunned.

"Some people never learn," said Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Richardson, who added Lawrence was jailed for 14 months last time he was caught in 2008.

"I've heard of drivers with 15 convictions but never anything like this."

Lawrence will be back in court on September 27 to face charges of driving while disqualified and providing false details.