Jail time for second drunk driving conviction
A P.E.I. man who was arrested inside a Subway restaurant shortly after driving drunk into a snowbank while nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit has been sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Samuel Leo Joseph Weeks, 25, of Cornwall, pleaded guilty and was sentenced for impaired driving on April 22 in provincial court in Charlottetown.
THE FACTS
Crown attorney Bridget Morriscey told the court that in Cornwall on Jan. 17 at 9:27 p.m., the Queens District RCMP received complaints from two drivers that were nearly struck by a possible impaired driver who drove through a red light. The vehicle then jumped a curb in a parking lot and drove into a snowbank.
The complainants also told police that the driver - Weeks - went inside a Subway restaurant. Police went to the restaurant and spoke to Weeks. After noticing signs of impairment, Weeks was arrested.
HIGH READINGS
Weeks provided police with two breathalyzer samples both 230 milligrams (mg) of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. Readings of 80 mg and higher are a Criminal Code of Canada offence.
Weeks had a prior conviction and sentence for impaired driving on July 11, 2022.
ALCOHOL ADDICTION
Defence lawyer Lucas Macarthur said his client regrets his actions and is remorseful. Weeks is also taking counselling and treatment for his alcohol addiction and has stopped drinking. Macarthur added that his client is working towards becoming a Red Seal carpenter. Macarthur requested an intermittent, or
weekend sentence so his client can be available for work opportunities.
60-DAY JAIL SENTENCE
Judge Nancy Orr granted the request and sentenced Weeks to 60 days in jail to be served on weekends, 18 months of probation and a two-year driving ban plus the time in jail.
Orr noted that the offence had several aggravating factors, namely, the high readings, the prior criminal record and the motor vehicle collision with the curb and snowbank.
As well, Orr sentenced Weeks to a $100 victim surcharge and ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service. With the permission of his probation officer, Weeks can pay $20 to the Queens County addictions centre for each community service hour not performed.