"The court's obligation is to protect the public"
Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (May 07/01) - Judge Michel Bourassa threw the book at a man convicted Tuesday of drinking and driving, telling court that if it had been possible, he would have sentenced the man to an even longer jail term.
Had the Crown not proceeded summarily, "I wouldn't hesitate to sentence him to two years," Bourassa said before sentencing Shane Nathaniel McNeely to 15 months.
McNeely,28, pleaded guilty to five criminal charges that occurred in both Norman Wells and Fort Good Hope.
When police stopped McNeely in Fort Good Hope Sept. 16, they smelled a strong odour of alcohol. There was an altercation and police used pepper spray to subdue McNeely.
On Nov. 7, police in Norman Wells stopped McNeely again.
Crown Attorney Sandy Aitken told the court that Police said McNeely was staggering, had slurred speech, and needed help getting into the police vehicle.
Aitken called McNeely an "accident waiting to happen," and asked for a 12 month sentence.
"People in Fort Good Hope and Norman Wells should be protected from people like Mr. McNeely," she said.
Bourassa said he hoped "when Mr. McNeely is sitting in cells tonight he has a positive thought for the Crown," which prevented the judge from imposing a stiffer sentence.
"If this keeps up, he's going to hurt someone," said Bourassa.
In addition to the jail term, McNeely was also banned from operating a motor vehicle for seven years.
