Four men fined for drinking and driving

Four area men learned Monday that making a bad decision - getting behind the wheel after they had been drinking - can cost big bucks.

Not only have they lost their driving privileges for a year, but they must pay hefty fines, plus 30 percent victim surcharges, after being convicted of drinking and driving offences in a Sault Ste. Marie courtroom.

More than twice the legal limit

Construction worker Terrance Champagne told Ontario Court Justice Robert Villeneuve he hadn't had a drink in 10 years, and "was trying to get back on my feet" after he had lost everything, when he fell off the wagon.

He was arrested June 29, after city police received a call about a man who had just left Studio 10 in a white pickup.

When an officer stopped the vehicle, he noted a strong odour of alcohol and that Champagne's eyes had constricted pupils, prosecutor Nancy Komsa said. 

Champagne failed a roadside breath test and was taken to the police station where he recorded breathalyzer readings of 190 and 180 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood.

The 53-year-old man pleaded guilty to consuming over the legal limit and operating a vehicle. 

Komsa called for an $1,800 fine to reflect the readings that are "aggravated by being over twice the legal limit."

Villeneuve imposed a $1,600 monetary penalty, plus the surcharge and driving prohibition.

Going over 100 kph has he turned into Cambrian Mall

Sault College student Christopher Osawa caught the eye of the Ontario Provincial Police on Aug. 1, as he was southbound on Great Northern Road near the Quattro Hotel

It was 3:50 a.m as he traveled at a high rate of speed and the officers followed his vehicle. 

He hit 101 to 105 kph as he turned into Cambrian Mall.

The officers detected a strong odour of alcohol on the 21-year-old 's breath.

His eyes were glassy and blood shot, his speech slurred, he fumbled for this paperwork, and dropped his keys, Komsa said

There also was an open bottle of liquor on the floor of the vehicle.

Osawa blew 202 and 187 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood when he was taken to the OPP detachment for breath tests.

He pleaded guilty to impaired driving.

Komsa proposed an $1,800 fine because of the elevated readings and driving involved. 

Duty counsel Stacy Tijerina asked the judge to impose a $1,500 penalty, citing Osawa's lack of a prior record, his plea at the "very earliest opportunity" and because he is a student with a part-time job.

Villeneuve agreed to the defence request after telling the accused "you didn't make a very good decision that night."

Osawa must also pay the surcharge and can't drive for 12 months.

Almost hit a utility pole

Another Sault Ste. Marie  man was in court after a concerned citizen contacted police about his driving on July 26.

Mark Shuttleworth, 24, pleaded guilty to impaired driving and was fined $1,200.

Another motorist called the cops after a vehicle almost struck a utility pole on Northern Avenue at 12:30 a.m. and then hit a curb.

He followed the black SUV which ran through a red light at Northern and Pine Street, Komsa said.

After picking up a passenger near St. Paul's school, it travelled at an excessive speed down Lake Street to Wellington Street East where police stopped Shuttleworth.

The accused, who had a smell of alcohol and bloodshot, glassy eyes, was swaying on his feet after he got out of the vehicle, Komsa said.

He recorded breathalyzer readings of 150 and 130 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood. 

The Crown suggested a $1,500 fine for Shuttleworth, who has no prior criminal record.

Duty counsel Gary Knox proposed something in the range of $1,100, telling the judge the young man, who supports a family, has  made a number of changes.

He has sought alcohol and drug treatment, been attending AA meetings and "ended his association with drinking buddies," Knox said.

Villeneuve said he agreed that Shuttleworth has shown some maturity. 

"Unfortunately, you didn't show much maturity that night when you got behind the wheel," he admonished.

In addition to the fine, Shuttleworth is prohibited from driving for a year and must pay the 30 -per -cent surcharge.

'Not too much, how about you?'

A young Wawa man, Devon Benoit, was nabbed in a RIDE check in the town, north of the Sault, on June 11.

He was evasive with OPP officers after approaching the checkpoint at a high rate of speed, the court heard.

When asked if he had been drinking, Benoit responded "not too much, how about you, " Komsa said.

After failing a roadside test, the 20-year-old was taken to the  OPP detachment where his breathalyzer readings were 115 and 115 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood. 

Benoit pleaded guilty to over 80.

Villeneuve imposed the minimum $1,000 fine, which was the penalty jointly recommended by the Crown and defence counsel Wayne Chorney.

Chorney said there may have been triable issues since there were no indications of any alcohol consumption.

"You're a young man, a young driver learning an expensive lesson, "Villeneuve told the wood pellet mill worker.

"It will get even more expensive with insurance."

Benoit also faces a $300 surcharge and a one-year driving prohibition.