A Redwater man was handed a $2,000 fine after he pleaded guilty to three charges stemming from an impaired driving incident last spring.
Jason Lawrence Lesoway, 32, pleaded guilty in St. Albert Provincial Court Monday to failing to provide a breath sample, driving with a suspended licence and failing to comply with release conditions.
Crown prosecutor Patricia Hankinson told the court that St. Albert RCMP pulled over Lesoway’s vehicle at roughly 1:30 a.m. on March 25 after observing erratic driving behaviour.
He was travelling 15 kilometres an hour above the posted speed limit and told police he consumed alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel.
Lesoway failed to provide a sample of his breath five consecutive times before the arresting officer demonstrated how to use the machine and determined it to be in working condition. Lesoway was given one more opportunity to provide a sample, but failed.
He was convicted of impaired driving in 2002, for which he received an $800 fine. Hankinson asked for an “elevated” fine based on this conviction.
“Mr. Lesoway takes full responsibility for his actions,” said his lawyer from Student Legal Services.
Hankinson withdrew three remaining charges for impaired operation of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and failing to comply with release conditions.
A strong odour of marijuana tipped off St. Albert RCMP to a man in possession of small quantities of the drug.
Federal crown prosecutor Jeremy Newton told the court that police pulled over a vehicle Nov. 30 after smelling marijuana to find marijuana flakes on the dash and a clear vial with 0.6 grams of white powder.
Nicholas G. Daviduck, 18, admitted that the substance was “blow.”
He was handed a conditional discharge with one-year probation and is ordered to attend counselling as directed by a probation officer, abstain from drugs and alcohol, provide samples of breath and urine when required and perform 50 hours of community service.
Jodee Ann Hancock, 34, appeared in court Oct. 22 via closed-circuit television from the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre where she pleaded guilty to obstructing a police officer.
A Morinville RCMP officer was on patrol just before 8:30 a.m. Oct. 8 when he noticed several wires hanging from a truck. Crown prosecutor John Donahoe said when he checked the licence, he found it was registered to Hancock, who was wanted on several other charges.
When questioned, Hancock lied about her identity, although a police search yielded correct identification.
She was fined $575 for failing to provide her correct name to police.
