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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-08-23, Page 18A Barrie man was finally sen-tenced on an impaired drivingcharge dating back to Nov. 27, 2005. After many adjournments, inWingham’s provincial court Thursday, Aug. 16, Judge R.G.E. Hunter sent Michael Riding to jail for 90 days. Riding was convicted of his sixth impaired conviction in Wingham’s December court. Then Hunter reject- ed a joint submission asking for a 90-day jail term to be served on weekends and a one-year driving prohibition. The request had been made as Riding needed to care for his ailing mother. Hunter gave Riding one month to make other arrangements. In January, the matter was adjourned once again to the February court, which was cancelled due to weather. It was adjourned again in March. In May Riding’s lawyer said he had been fired and the accused asked for another adjournment. He was ordered then to appear regularly in Goderich court so the judge could see that he was on track with obtain- ing a new lawyer. Thursday’s sentencing also camewith a $1,500 fine which Riding hassix months to pay. He is prohibitedfrom driving for three years. His jail time will be served on weekends. OVER 80 Richard Benninger of Wingham pled guilty to driving with over 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of his blood. Crown Attorney Bob Morris said the accused had been stopped by police in Wingham as it appeared he had not been wearing a seatbelt. They noticed an odour of alcohol coming from Benninger and saw signs of impairment. The accused admitted he had been drinking. Breathalizer readings were 130 and 110 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. The 28-year-old was fined $750. He has one year to pay and is pro- hibited from driving for 12 months. RESTITUTION Failing to pay restitution had Stephen Anger pleading to a breach of probation charge. Anger had appeared in court on March 17 on a number of charges, according to Morris. Part of the courtorder was that he pay restitution inthe amount of $2,121. His attorney said that Anger’semployment had been sporadic and that he had been in custody since May 22. Hunter placed him on 12 months probation and ordered that restitu- tion be made at a minimum rate of $150 a month for full payment in 11 months. “Miss any and you’ll be in breach and you’ll be back here. You won’t get probation,” said Hunter. FAILING TO COMPLY David Melanson pled guilty to breaching probation. Morris said that after being con- victed in Nov. 23 of assault causing bodily harm the accused received a 30-day sentence and 12 months pro- bation. While he did keep some appoint- ments with the probation officer, he did not show up from May onward. Duty counsel John Myers said Melanson had been involved in a custody battle that left him depressed. He then went to California to stay with his mother fora while. “Since returning he haspulled his life back together,” saidMyers.He was fined $400 which he has 30 days to pay. SPEEDING Originally charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, Patrick Laffin pled guilty to a lesser charge of speeding. He was arrested Oct. 5 in Morris- Turnberry. Hunter fined him $95, which he has 30 days to pay. NO VARIATION Hunter denied a variation on a pro- bation order to allow associationbetween a man convicted of assaultand his partner.In March Hunter told the pair thathe would grant the variation if Paul Martin, who has a history of domes- tic violence, had completed a coun- selling program. He was told Thursday, that had not happened. Angered, the victim, who wants contact with Martin, asked Hunter about her rights in this case. “I’m not here to argue with you,” Hunter responded. “Well, good thing, isn’t it?” said the woman as she left the court- room. PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2007. Road Watch Huron is encouraging drivers to ensure their passengers are buckled in safely. As of Dec. 1, 2006, in Ontario, every person travelling in a motor vehicle must wear a seatbelt or use a child safety seat. According to the 2004 Ontario Road Safety Annual Report 732 drivers and passengers were injured and 120 drivers and 47 passengers were killed where seatbelts were not worn. Some common problems of indi- viduals not wearing their seatbelt properly are: • Riding in the back of a pick-up truck • More passengers then seatbelts available • Not wearing seatbelt on short trips • Shoulder strap is worn under arm or behind back • Lap belt rides high over stomach area Motorists are being asked to only have the number of occupants in the vehicle as seatbelts and to wear them properly – flat across the chest and shoulder, low over the hips. This helps to prevent occupants from hitting the steering wheel, windshield or others in the vehicles and reduces the risk of being ejected from the vehicle. It also helps work with the air bag system, reduces the severity of the injury or risk of death and avoids fines, demerit points and increased insurance costs. Drivers are responsible for ensur- ing that passengers under 16 years of age are using the seatbelt or an appropriate child car seat proper. The penalty for seatbelt infrac- tions is a fine between $60 and $500. Convicted offenders will receive two demerit points. Police officers may request that passengers who appear to be at least 16 years of age provide their name, address and date of birth. These pas- sengers may face a fine for not using or wearing a seatbelt properly. For more information about the One Seatbelt One Person Legislation visit the Ministry of Transportation website at www.mto.gov.on.ca Court news Man sentenced to 90 days for driving drunk George Canyon Live in Concert Saturday, October 6 Blyth Memorial Hall www.blythfestival.com 1-877-862-5984 or 519-523-9300 Tickets on sale now Joyce & Dana Bean 25 Years of Marital Bliss and four children August 21 Congratulations Love from your family and friends Happy 30th Anniversary Mom & Dad Bert and Susan Buffinga August 26, 2007 With love, from your kids Happy Anniversary Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary Richard and Stephanie (Blake) Armstrong August 26 Love and best wishes from your family Road Watch encouraging passengers to use seatbelts Slip! on clothing Slop! on sunscreen SPF 15 or higher Slap! on a hat For more information call the Canadian Cancer Society at 1 888 939-3333 or take our SunSense quiz at www.cancer.ca.