by P.J. Harston
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 24/97) - A man who refused to provide police with a breath sample after rear-ending an RCMP cruiser received an $800 fine and a six-month driving prohibition in territorial court Tuesday.

Bradley W. Ostafichuk, entered letters of reference from his employer, a car dealer, to show how hard-working and concerned he is about his job, which involves driving.

"It's no compensation to a mother whose child has been run over by a drunk driver to be told that he was a nice guy," said Judge Michel Bourassa in passing sentence.

The collision occurred at Franklin Avenue and Forrest Drive Nov. 15 after a Mountie stopped to remove a dead fox from the road.

He was halfway into the cruiser to turn on the flashing roof lights when the impact knocked the car ahead four feet.

Both drivers were sent to hospital for treatment of minor injuries. There was at least $3,000 damage done to the vehicles.

Ostafichuk has one previous drunk-driving conviction on his record that dates back to 1987.