Woman gets suspended sentence for driving into another vehicle

A 22-year-old woman who hit another vehicle is on probation for nine months after she was given a suspended sentence on Monday. Emma Michelle Halliday of Stellarton was in Pictou Provincial Court for a hearing this week after pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving, mischief and breach of an undertaking in May. In a statement of facts read by Crown attorney Bill Gorman, the court heard Halliday confronted a former boyfriend and his new girlfriend at a property in Ponds on Feb. 21, 2016. RCMP responded, and she was originally charged with assault after the incident. The charge was later amended to committing mischief by interfering with the lawful use of a person’s property. She was released on an undertaking, which included a condition stating that she must stay away from her previous partner and his new partner. On Feb. 23, 2016, RCMP received a call about a two-vehicle collision in Coalburn. Halliday told the responding officer that the vehicle, which her former partner was driving and his new girlfriend was a passenger in, cut her off and caused an accident. Witnesses in his vehicle told police Halliday had been following them through New Glasgow into Thorburn, when he attempted to use the Crossroads Country Market parking lot to turn around and head back toward New Glasgow. The driver felt Halliday was trying to block them in when they pulled into the lot, and when he tried to go around her vehicle and onto the roadway, she accelerated and hit the truck. Gorman said mitigating factors are that Halliday has been working toward gaining her GED, entered a guilty plea and has no prior record. He noted aggravating factors as a confrontation at the Ponds residence and that the dangerous driving occurred while under a no-contact order. He said the period of time in which she followed his vehicle was significant, therefore making a conscious choice not to follow the terms of her undertaking. Defence lawyer Stephen Robertson said it came as a surprise to Halliday that her former partner was seeing someone else. Over the 48 hours during which the events occurred, she was driven by anger and shock, he said. “Much water has passed under the bridge since then…” he said, noting that the events happened 15 months ago. Robertson said she accepts they’re no longer a couple and they need to raise a child together. He also noted she has been undergoing counselling. Judge Del Atwood said he takes into account that Halliday has been subject to strict conditions since February 2016 and has limited income and a lack of ability to pay a significant fine. He stated the prospect of rehabilitation is very good. She has to pay victim surcharges totalling $300 within 12 months and is ordered to have no contact with the victims, unless they give their permission. She has also been ordered to attend anger management, a violence prevention assessment or any other counselling as directed by her probation officer.