A Carbon County man was sentenced to a prison term after previously pleading guilty to four driving under the influence charges.

Neil B. Kennedy, 58, of Lansford, did get a break when President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II ran the sentences in the four cases concurrently rather than consecutively. A consecutive sentence would have placed Kennedy in a state prison.Kennedy was arrested on Sept. 4, 2011, along Bertsch Street by Lansford police. A test showed 0.29 BAC. The second arrest was Nov. 26, 2011, along Route 209, again by Lansford police with a test result of 0.24 BAC. The third arrest was on Feb. 7, 2012, along Ridge Street by Lansford police with a test result of 0.07 BAC. The fourth occurred on Aug. 14, 2013, by Nesquehoning police on Route 209. No test results were noted.Defense Attorney Joseph V. Sebelin Jr. asked the court to impose a house arrest sentence on Kennedy for what he called "multiple health issues."The cases have taken a long time to come through the system with no fewer than 24 continuances filed by the defense. Sebelin said those continuances were due to Kennedy's health problems and also because he had entered an inpatient rehabilitation facility to get help for alcoholism.Sebelin said when Kennedy began experiencing health issues, he "turned to alcohol to cope with them." Seblin also noted Kennedy contributed to the community. He was a basketball coach, a council member and mayor at one time.Kennedy told Nanovic, "I'm a good person who just made mistakes."Nanovic rejected the house arrest request.Nanovic imposed prison terms of 30 days to six months on the first DUI, five days to six months on the second, 30 days to six months on the third, and 90 days to five years on the fourth. He was given credit for time spent in rehab and prison. Nanovic said with the credit allowed, Kennedy still must serve 58 days in prison.Kennedy also owes a big bill for fines totaling $5,000 and license suspensions totaling four and a half years. He was also ordered to make restitution in one case for a total of $904 due to damages in an accident. On summary offenses he was fined a total of $325. He must also attend counseling sessions, attend AA meetings, pay court costs of about $1,000, and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole.He will begin the jail term at noon on Jan. 2 and serve it on consecutive two-day periods of Saturday to Monday.