CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A P.E.I. man who fled police and forced them to stop to avoid hitting a woman who jumped out of his vehicle was sentenced recently to more than two months in jail on several charges.
Jonathan Trainor, 25, appeared before Judge Jeff Lantz in provincial court in Charlottetown where he pleaded guilty to fleeing the police, dangerous driving, theft and two counts of failing to attend court.
Reading from an agreed statement of facts, Crown attorney Jeff MacDonald told the court that on May 1, Trainor evaded police by going down side streets in Charlottetown.
The court heard the licence plate on the vehicle was reported stolen, although Trainor said it was on the SUV when he bought it.
MacDonald said that at one point, Trainor slowed down and a woman jumped out of his vehicle causing the police to stop to avoid hitting her.
They later located the vehicle without Trainor in it.
In another incident, the court heard the police saw Trainor driving a different vehicle several days after missing a court appearance.
MacDonald said the police tried to block Trainor from leaving a parking lot in Charlottetown, but he managed to exit at a high speed.
During the pursuit, the police reached speeds around 70 km/h and saw Trainor go through intersections without braking.
The court heard the police didn’t continue the pursuit for safety reasons.
Trainor was also sentenced for stealing more than $700 worth of items from a Walmart, including an air mattress, baby supplies, a baseball bat and a comforter.
Before hearing his sentence, Trainor addressed the court, saying he apologized, especially for the driving.
Trainor, who had a prior record, said he doesn’t want to continue living a lifestyle that ends up putting him in jail, which does nothing for him.
Along with the jail time, which was reduced by 20 days with credit for time served, Trainor will be on probation for 18 months and he is banned from driving for one year.