Sentencing delayed for impaired driver

A Brooks woman won’t learn until later this summer her fate for committing several criminal offences in Lethbridge last year.

Although Tamara Soosay pleaded guilty Friday to drunk driving, possession of stolen property, driving while unauthorized, and two counts of breaching court orders, her sentencing was adjourned until Aug. 18.

Defence requested the adjournment to allow time for the preparation of a presentence report, which will provide court with the accused’s personal circumstances and take into consideration her aboriginal background.

Court was told police received a report Sept. 27 that a vehicle had been taken from a northside home. The resident told police Soosay had been at the residence earlier and he suspected she had taken the vehicle.

The following day police responded to the report of a drunk driver and found the stolen vehicle had been backed into a building. Soosay was sitting in the driver’s seat, but she exited the vehicle and walked into a nearby residence, ignoring officers’ instructions to stop. After receiving permission by the homeowner to enter the residence, police found Soosay asleep in a chair, and she was arrested for impaired driving.

Crown prosecutor June Ling pointed out Soosay’s bloodalcohol level was nearly five times the legal limit, and she was not authorized to drive.

The accused also breached court orders on two occasions, the first about 5:30 a.m. Oct. 15 when she was at a residence and intoxicated, in violation of a release order that she not consume alcohol.

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