CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A 28-year-old P.E.I. man was sentenced Thursday to six months in jail following his fourth impaired driving conviction.
Stephen Terrance Peters of Poplar Point pleaded guilty to having a blood alcohol concentration that is equal to or exceeds 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood within two hours after ceasing to operate a conveyance. He also pleaded guilty to driving while prohibited.
The first conviction earned a four-month sentence and the second conviction two months. The sentences are to be served consecutively.
Peters crashed his motorcycle on June 13 in Fortune Bridge. He has an extensive related prior record, including eight convictions for driving while suspended. His licence has been suspended since 2012.
The court heard Peters has never sought help for his drinking problem.
“Some people can’t be helped unless they want to be helped," said chief provincial court judge Nancy Orr.
Orr also told Peters he is prohibited from driving for three years following his release from jail.
The judge dealt with three other impaired driving cases in court Thursday.
A second impaired driving conviction – 27 years after the first one – earned a P.E.I. man 10 days in jail.
James R. Cook pleaded guilty to having a blood alcohol concentration that is equal to or exceeds 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood within two hours after ceasing to operate a conveyance.
The offence occurred on Aug. 30 near Murray River after police received a complaint of a truck going off the road on two occasions.
Cook gave a reading almost triple the legal limit.
He told Orr he was dealing with his drinking problem by drinking less alcohol.
He was fined $2,000, ordered to pay a $600 victims of crime surcharge and is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle for one year upon his release from jail.
His prior impaired driving conviction was in 1983.
A P.E.I. woman who hit a pole and ended up in a ditch after driving while impaired was sentenced to seven days in jail for her poor decision to get behind the wheel.
Jalessa Marie Mahar pleaded guilty to having a blood alcohol concentration that is equal to or exceeds 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood within two hours after ceasing to operate a conveyance.
RCMP responded to a single vehicle collision on Aug. 26 near Souris Line Road in Mahar's case. Mahar, who had minor injuries to her arm, admitted to having two drinks that day.
“Looking at the pictures (of the collision), you are pretty lucky," Orr told the woman.
Orr issued a $1,000 fine and ordered Mahar to pay $300 to the victims of crime fund.
Mahar is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle for one year.
A second P.E.I. woman pleaded guilty to assaulting a peace officer and refusing to provide a breath sample.
Leanne Marie Walters pleaded guilty to the two charges in relation to an incident on Aug. 3 near Souris Line Road. Walters, who has a prior impaired driving conviction from 2004, will be sentenced Nov. 12.
