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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-05-26, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2005. Court news Man gets 21 days in jail for driving drunk A Wingham man was sentenced to 21 days in jail, after pleading guilty in Wingham’s provincial court. May 19, to a charge of driving with over 80 of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. Reagan Leibold, 26. was charged Aug 15 in Wingham. According R.L. McFalls, attorney for the Crown, an officer saw the motorcycle driver almost lose control after making a wide u-turn and over-steering. When he pulled Leibold over, it was “apparent the accused had been drinking,” said McFalls. Breathalizer readings were 230 and 220 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. Leibold has a previous conviction for impaired driving from November 1999 In addition to the jail term, Leibold’s license has been suspended for two years. DANGEROUS DRIVING Daniel Lockwood of RR3, Clinton pled guilty to dangerous driving. McFalls stated that on June 28 an officer observed the accused driving a dirt bike in Blyth. The rider had no helmet- and there were no license plates on the bike. As the cruiser followed Lockwood, he sped up and drove through a stop sign. Witnesses, said McFalls. had to get out of the way to avoid a collision. The officer later saw Lockwood coming out of a house, he followed him again, and the accused went through a stop sign nearly striking a pedestrian. Defense counsel Mike Donnelly countered that when the pedestrian had been asked if he had had to move out of the way. he said. "I think 1 might have.” “That’s close enough.” said Judge R.G.E. Hunter Stating his client had been straightforward with him in admitting responsibility, Donnelly noted that Lockwood had been in no trouble with police since this or before. Lockwood was fined $1,000 and placed on probation for 12 months. He has 30 days to pay the fine. IMPAIRED DRIVING Despite an argument from defense counsel that the arresting officer had not been clear on what his client was charged with Hunter found a Bluevale man guilty of driving while impaired. Const. Doug McLellan testified that he had been on duty, Aug. 28 when some youths had pointed out a parked vehicle which they had followed from Bluevale and had stated they thought the driver might be impaired. When the truck pulled away. McLellan said he followed it for a time and noticed it crossed the centre line slightly. In speaking with the driver he noted an odour of alcohol and said Daniel Thomas Campbell had admitted to having several beers a few hours earlier. There was a part bottle of Crown Royal on the passenger seat and a cup with alcohol in it. Campbell failed the roadside test and McLellan arrested him for “being over the legal limit”. The breathalizer technician Sgt. Tim Poole stated that the readings were 191 and 184 mg ol alcohol in 100 ml of blood. Defence counsel argued that McLellan had not been clear on the charge when arresting Campbell. With the “power” the police have been given regarding impaired drivers, the rights of the accused should include a strict interpretation of what failing the roadside test means. “Does over the legal limit not suffice?” said Hunter. “I would have thought not,” counsel countered. The judge, however, disagreed, admitting that while the charge could have been put in a clearer fashion it was easily understood. Campbell has no previous record. He was fined $750 and is off the road for one year. He was given two months to pay the fine. SENTENCING POSTPONED A man, who pled guilty to impaired driving and driving while disqualified, will be sentenced in July to allow time for long-term rehabilitation treatment. Glenn Jackson, Listowel. was 346 Huron Road, Goderich 524-9381 or 1-800-338-1134 Don’t lose this number! 524-9381 Saturday, May 28th For more information contact Dean Crawford - 887-8928 Michael McDon Chad McCallum - 887-8299 George Langlois Remember to register for the 2nd Annual Co-ed3 - Pitch Baseball Tournament June 10,11 &12 charged Jan. 15 after an officer observed his car going through a stop sign on McDonald Line in Huron East. There were bottles of beer in the car and Jackson showed the “usual signs of intoxication” said McFalls. Breathalizer readings were 170 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. He was disqualified from driving at the time as a result of a previous conviction. His record showed three previous convictions, the most recent from January 2004 and December 2004. Stating that his client was committed to his rehabilitation. Donnelly asked for a postponement in sentencing. DANGEROUS DRIVING Michael Graham of Hensail pled not guilty to a charge of having over 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, but guilty to dangerous driving. Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Nov. 1, 2003 in North Huron. The driver, Graham, had been drinking. He was fined $300 which must be paid within 30 days. CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE Three people were granted conditional discharges in unrelated cases. Jamie Needham of Wingham pled guilty to an assault on Jan. 20. The victim sustained bruises and a stiff shoulder. Needham was placed on 12 months probation and is prohibited from owning weapons for five years. Crystal Ament of Wingham was charged with assault on March 12. She entered a guilty plea. According to McFalls a verbal argument escalated and she grabbed the victim by his hair and scratched his face. The injuries were minor. Ament too was placed on probation for 12 months and is prohibited from owning weapons for five years. Melissa McGrath of Wingham pled guilty to an assault which occured Jan. 23. The victim sustained no injuries. Duty counsel Despina Valassis said the incident was a result of McGrath having had too much to drink at a birthday celebration. McGrath was placed on 12 months probation. She is prohibited from owning weapons for a period of five years. Up and over Ryan Drabuik clears the bar in his attempt at the high jump event during East Wawanosh’s track and field meet last Thursday. (Vicky Bremner photo)