A P.E.I. man who was found drunk in a Sobeys parking lot fewer than two weeks after he was released from jail was sentenced recently to 12 days in custody.
Michael John Gallie, 60, appeared before Chief Judge Jeff Lantz in provincial court in Charlottetown by video from jail where he has been in custody since his arrest in January.
During his appearance, Gallie pleaded guilty to one count of breaching his probation.
Reading from an agreed statement of facts, Crown attorney Jeff MacDonald told the court that on Jan. 22 at around 7 p.m., Stratford RCMP responded to a call about a man in the Sobeys parking lot who appeared to be harassing customers.
MacDonald said the RCMP found Gallie with a small cut on his head, which he told police was from a fall.
Gallie told police he had three beers earlier that day and MacDonald said they could smell alcohol on his breath, even though Gallie was wearing a mask.
The court heard the RCMP arrested Gallie for being intoxicated in a public place.
MacDonald said Gallie was released from jail on Jan. 11 where he was serving a sentence of two years less a day for an assault.
That sentence included probation with a condition that Gallie not leave his home if he is under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering substances.
'Extremely violent'
Defence lawyer Alex Dalton told the court Gallie has issues with alcohol.
“When he drinks, he becomes extremely violent,” she said.
Before hearing his sentence, Gallie told the court he had a few beers before he left for Sobeys after hearing news that a friend had died.
“I know it’s no excuse,” he said.
Gallie told the court he needed to get out of jail because if he didn’t return to the motel room where he was living then he would lose it.
Everything he has is there, Gallie said.
“I will be homeless.”
Gallie also said he won’t ever leave his residence while under the influence again.
Lantz said the probation condition was unusual and he wasn’t sure if Gallie could follow it.
“You didn’t last very long this time,” Lantz said.
After sentencing Gallie, Lantz said he was giving the accused one more chance.
Lantz also said Gallie should be aware that if he is back in court again, he will be going to jail for a lot longer.
Twitter: @ryanrross
