GEORGETOWN, P.E.I. — A Scotchfort man who was suspected of driving drunk and said he refused to give a breath sample to police because he didn’t trust the process was sentenced recently to six days in jail.
Jody Jonathan Knockwood, 47, appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Georgetown where he pleaded guilty to refusing to provide a breath sample.
Crown attorney Nathan Beck told the court that on June 1 the RCMP responded to a call that Knockwood was passed out in his vehicle in the Murray Harbour North area.
The police reported that when Knockwood got out he was unsteady on his feet, almost fell to his knees and had to use the vehicle to hold himself up.
Beck said that at the detachment Knockwood refused to provide breath samples and told police he didn’t trust the process.
Knockwood had a prior conviction for refusing to provide a breath sample.
Defence lawyer Conor Mullin told the court Knockwood repeatedly asked to give blood samples instead but was told there was no medical reason for that.
Mullin also told the court Knockwood had the mistaken belief that if he gave a breath sample, he would be admitting guilt.
Along with the jail time Knockwood must pay a $2,000 fine and is banned from driving for one year.
