A 55-year-old Victorian man has been sentenced after being caught 10 times over the legal drinking limit while behind the wheel.

James Selkirk, of Ballarat, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge of driving under the influence and careless driving.

Selkirk was arrested and charged after “crashing into” a Ballarat private property in October 2024.

After being taken to hospital, a routine blood alcohol test revealed Selkirk had a reading of 0.533.

Victoria’s legal drinking limit for full-licensed drivers is less than 0.05.

Magistrate Julia Barling commented on the remarkably high recording in a Ballarat courtroom on Tuesday morning.

“This is by far the highest reading I have ever seen,” she said.Victorian police officer from behind

The 55-year-old undertook a blood alcohol test in October 2024, where he was found to be 10 times over the legal limit. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

Ms Barling noted Selkirk’s “long-term history with alcohol” and praised him for the treatment he undertook in the past year. 

“I am pleased to see … Mr Selkirk has engaged in detoxication and Alcoholics Anonymous,” she said.

“[It seems] he is in a better place since this offending.”

Selkirk’s legal counsel David Tamanika told the court his client would be returning to full-time work in education shortly.

Ms Barling cancelled Selkirk’s licence for three years and ordered him to complete a three-year community corrections order, but did not record a conviction against him. 

She ended the sentencing hearing with a warning to the Ballarat man that if he was caught drink-driving again, he would be jailed.Â