The Butler County court system ought to deliver a stern message once and for all to Michael Wesley, 30, of Adrian, Armstrong County. That message ought to be something like "10 years in prison" - or perhaps much longer.

That would give Wesley plenty of time to rethink his penchant for drunk driving. On the dangerous path on which he has remained for so long, it would seem that he is in danger of killing not only himself, but some innocent person as well.

It's long overdue for the court to ensure that he doesn't drive for a long time, sparing the lives that he could endanger if he were to drive again while intoxicated. If putting him behind bars is the only way to achieve that, then the court should have no reluctance to mete out a sentence that exhibits no mercy.

He has proven that he is incapable of controlling his urge to drink and drive, and that's in no one's best interests.

It's troubling that with five DUI arrests, the courts made it possible for Wesley to record a sixth, which happened about 3:15 a.m. Sept. 1 after state police stopped Wesley's car at Routes 528 and 422 for an undisclosed traffic violation. An intoxilyzer test showed Wesley's blood-alcohol level to be 0.22 percent - nearly three times the level at which a driver is considered intoxicated under state law.

Wesley was arraigned the same day by District Justice Pete Shaffer and was lodged in the Butler County Prison in lieu of $2,500 bond. Later that day, Wesley posted the bond and was released.

Judging from his past record, there really can be no certainty that Wesley won't drive drunk again before he goes to court. Most people would have surmised that with another DUI case pending in Butler County Court from a DUI arrest on April 3, Wesley would have displayed a modicum of responsibility and stayed away from booze when he intended to drive. But once again, Wesley has proven that he is incapable of that kind of self-control.

Fortunately, the state police stopped him before he hurt anyone.

Now, a judge must put to rest any notion for a repeat of the kinds of slaps on the wrist that supposedly punished Wesley in the past. Wesley was arrested twice in October 1999, pleaded guilty in both cases and was fined and placed in the county's intermediate punishment program.

Wesley also pleaded guilty in connection with a September 1994 DUI arrest. He was fined in that case and sentenced to 30 to 60 days in the county prison.

Obviously, Wesley remains hellbent on spitting in the face of leniency.

Right-thinking county residents should pay attention to court sentencings in the months ahead and watch for how the court deals with Wesley's DUI offenses. The severity of the sentence or sentences handed down, as well as whether there is a plea-bargain cop-out that opens the window for Wesley to walk - or drive - will allow residents to evaluate the performance of their court.

The court should turn a deaf ear to any pleadings that might be voiced by Wesley's attorney for another chance for his client to do better, and be skeptical of any promises by the defendant that he will not drive drunk in the future.

Wesley must be kept from behind the wheel of his or anyone else's motor vehicle. A stiff sentence - even the maximum sentence permitted under sentencing guidelines - is the best way to achieve that objective.

- J.R.K.