A P.E.I. man who swam under two docks and a boat after diving into the water to escape the police was sentenced Friday to one day in jail and fined $1,500.
Cale Justin Delong, 23, appeared before Judge John Douglas in provincial court in Charlottetown where he pleaded guilty to impaired driving and failing to stop for police.
The court heard that on June 26 at around 4 a.m. the police saw Delong driving on Water Street in Charlottetown with no lights on.
When the police tried to pull him over Delong continued a short distance, got out of his truck near Peakes Quay and dove into the water.
Delong swam under two docks and a boat while the police watched.
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They found him under a blanket in a boat’s storage area where he was soaking wet in his underwear with several fresh cuts on him from his swim.
Delong is the boat owner’s son.
Defence lawyer Brandon Forbes told the court that to say Delong wished he could go back to that day would be an understatement.
“He’s embarrassed to be here,” Forbes said.
Delong also apologized to the court.
In sentencing Delong, Douglas referred to the cuts he received and said he was punished for his stupidity.
“The outcome could have been much worse,” Douglas said.
Delong is banned from driving for one year and must pay $465 in victim surcharges.
