Michael Joseph Chaisson, his hands cuffed and legs shackled, was brought into Summerside provincial court a little over two weeks after being released from jail and days after being caught, drunk, behind the wheel.
Chaisson entered guilty pleas on single counts of driving while prohibited and refusing a breathalyzer demand.
“We do have the guilty plea. That’s the only positive thing,” said Judge Jeff Lantz in sentencing Chaisson. “We have a horrific record.”
On Feb. 22, Chaisson was released from jail after finishing a 160-day sentence for impaired driving and driving while disqualified.
On March 1, he was caught behind the wheel. That day, West Prince RCMP were patrolling a grocery store parking lot when they noticed a vehicle parked illegally in a handicap parking spot.
Police approached the driver, who they recognized as being Chaisson and questioned him about his status to drive. Chaisson told police he wasn’t prohibited but was unable to produce a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration or insurance.
After doing a check, police found Chaisson had been convicted in November 2012 of impaired driving and driving while disqualified.
Chaisson was arrested and taken to the West Prince detachment. There, police noticed a strong smell of alcohol coming from Chaisson. He was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.
Chaisson was asked to provide a breath sample and refused, telling police he wouldn’t pass the test. He has been in custody since.
His extensive record has been accumulated over the span of nine years. He was convicted in 2004 of impaired driving; in 2055 of refusing a breathalyzer demand and driving while disqualified; in 2005 and in 2008 of impaired driving and driving while disqualified; 2009 of care and control on a vehicle while impaired; and last November of impaired driving and driving while suspended.
“The most aggravating factor here is his record,” said Crown attorney John Diamond. “We don’t believe he is getting the message.”
Lantz sentenced Chaisson to a total of 11 months in jail followed by 18 months probation, during which time he must undergo assessment, counselling and treatment for his alcohol addiction and is prohibited from driving for five years.
nmacphee@journalpioneer.com
