A repeat offender landed a $1,500-fine and a 12-month driving probation after he was caught driving impaired on Highway 818.
Eugene Young pleaded to the one charge of impaired driving in Athabasca Provincial Court on Nov. 6.
According to an agreed statement of facts, court heard that on March 18, Young was found driving erratically on Highway 818. After pulling the car over, RCMP officers observed that Young had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.
The guilty plea was reached by a joint submission from defense and the Crown. Judge Clifton Purvis said this submission kept Young from being sentenced to jail time.
“But for joint submission … I would have jailed you,” Purvis said. “You’re in real jeopardy here.”
Defense lawyer Bruce Lennon said that Young is a carpenter and had been hurt financially by being without a licence for the past several months.
However, Purvis opted to extend the driving probation to a full year rather than the three months requested by the defense, due to Young having numerous other impaired driving offences from 2004 and earlier.
“I appreciate your client’s position but I have a hard time with that considering,” Purvis said.
A man accused of leaving threatening messages for his ex-wife pleaded guilty to a charge of uttering threats.
Randall Johnston was sentenced to 12 months probation and a requirement to not have any contact with his ex-wife.
Johnston had called her on Feb. 19 and left several “psychotic messages,” as quoted of the victim by Crown prosecutor Mark Facundo.
“I’ll bury you so … deep. I’ll piss on your grave. The cops will never find you,’” Facundo said, quoting a message left by Johnston in the agreed upon statement of facts.
Facundo also said that Johnston has dealt with a number of mental health issues.
As part of his probation, Johnston will also have to attend counseling and not possess any weapons.
Judge Purvis accepted the sentence from a joint submission by the defendant and the Crown.
“I know it’s a struggle to deal with mental health issues and medication and I wish you a lot of luck,” Purvis said.
A woman was fined $1,000 and one year probation after she pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine.
Accepting the joint submission from the Crown and defense counsel, Purvis said he wished defendant Tina Popowich “a lot of luck” as she journeys toward recovery. “You’re a grown woman. I don’t want to lecture you,” he said. “But I will say this: it’s never too late for anyone, no matter what your past is like.”
According to the agreed statement of facts read by the Crown, Popowich was stopped in her vehicle on Feb. 18. RCMP noted she appeared to be driving under the influence and found a small plastic bag at her feet which contained methamphetamine.
Popowich’s lawyer, Leon Colwin, said her health had been improving and that she would accept the probation.
“Popowich is here with her mother … and doing well,” he said. “She will abide by terms of probation and do what she’s asked to do.”
