Banned driver jailed on eighth conviction for same offence

Preston James Blaisdell sentenced to nine months in jail after police see him driving while disqualified

A P.E.I. man with a history of driving while he wasn’t supposed to was sentenced recently to nine months in jail on his eighth conviction for the same offence.

Preston James Blaisdell, 34, appeared before Judge John Douglas in provincial court in Charlottetown for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and possessing stolen property.

Crown attorney Valerie Moore told the court that on Feb. 28 an RCMP officer on patrol saw Blaisdell driving a vehicle that had a stolen licence plate.

Blaisdell was prohibited from driving at the time.

Moore said Blaisdell had 47 prior charges under the Highway Traffic Act and $22,372 in fines and other penalties still outstanding.

The court heard Blaisdell had seven prior convictions for driving while disqualified, including six since 2014.

Moore said he is also facing a charge for the same offence in P.E.I. Supreme Court.

Before hearing his sentence, Blaisdell said he realized he shouldn’t be driving.

“I’d just like to apologize for taking the court’s time,” he said.

Douglas gave Blaisdell credit of five months for time already spent in custody, leaving him four months left to serve.

Blaisdell is banned from driving for three years.