Fifth drunk driving conviction
SUMMERSIDE - Getting caught driving drunk for the fifth time has garnered one Richmond man 45 days behind bars.
Richard Michael Chaisson, 41, pleaded guilty in Summerside Provincial Court Thursday to impaired driving. It is the fifth time since July 1997 that Chaisson has been caught drunk behind the wheel. He also has one conviction for driving while disqualified on his record.
On Sept. 30, just before midnight, Summerside police pulled Chaisson over after receiving a citizen's complaint.
His lowest reading was almost three times the legal limit. Chaisson was arrested and spent the night in jail.
In addition to time in jail, Chaisson is prohibited from driving for 36 months, will be on probation for 12 months and must pay a $150 victim surcharge.
Impaired driver went into ditch
SUMMERSIDE - A 39-year-old Charlottetown man caught driving drunk with four passengers - two of them children - in his car will spend seven days behind bars.
Christopher Nelson Molyneaux pleaded guilty in Summerside Provincial Court Thursday to impaired driving.
Molyneaux was behind the wheel on Oct. 29, on his way back from visiting the Haunted Mansion, when he went into the ditch in Irishtown. He had been attempting to pull over after passengers in the car voiced concern over his driving.
Police, fire personnel, Island EMS and a tow truck were called to the scene.
A female passenger of the vehicle first told police that she was driving, but it was soon discovered Molyneaux had been behind the wheel.
No one was hurt in the incident.
Molyneaux provided breath samples more than three times the legal limit. He was taken to Prince County Jail for the night.
Judge Jeff Lantz, while sentencing Molyneaux, questioned why the Charlottetown man was driving when others could have taken the wheel.
Crown attorney John Diamond said it appeared no adults were sober.
In addition to time behind bars, Molyneaux must pay a $1,500 fine, $225 victim surcharge and is prohibited from driving for 12 months.
City woman jailed for impaired driving
SUMMERSIDE - A 41-year-old city woman who got into an accident while driving drunk is going to jail for 10 days.
Jennifer Marie Shortt pleaded guilty in Summerside Provincial Court Thursday to impaired driving.
On the evening of Oct. 23, city police were dispatched to the scene of a single-vehicle accident on Water Street and came upon Shortt, who identified herself as the driver. Court heard she was visibly intoxicated, with bloodshot eyes, a flushed face and smelled of alcohol. Shortt's blood alcohol readings were well over the legal limit. She was arrested and released.
Shortt had one-previous related conviction on her record, a breathalyzer refusal dating back to September 2004.
In addition to time behind bars, which Shortt will serve intermittently, the city woman is prohibited from driving for 18 months. She was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $150 victim surcharge.
Drugs found after impaired stop
SUMMERSIDE - A 24-year-old St. Lawrence man is going to jail for 18 days for getting caught driving drunk and in possession of magic mushrooms.
Ryan Ralph Costain pleaded guilty to the drug possession and impaired driving charges Thursday in Summerside Provincial Court.
Police stopped Costain on Route 2 after he had swerved over the centre line.
Police found open liquor in the vehicle and Costain's speech was slurred. He provided breath samples well over the aggravating limit, was jailed overnight and released the following morning.
While searching Costain's vehicle police found a plastic bag containing freshly picked magic mushrooms. When dried, the mushrooms weighed 20 grams.
Costain told police the mushrooms were for his own use and that he had planned on freezing them.
He had one previous related driving conviction on his record, a charge of failing to provide a breath sample in May 2007.
In addition to time behind bars for the impaired driving charge, Costain will pay a $1,000 fine, a $150 victim surcharge and is prohibited from driving for 18 months.
On the drug possession charge, Costain was fined $300 and order to pay a $45 victim surcharge.
