Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 19/02) - A bizarre standoff on Old Airport Road last February has left a 41-year-old Dawson City truck driver $750 poorer.

Territorial court Judge Brian Bruser imposed the fine on Clayton Wilson Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to one count of mischief.

The charge stemmed from a Feb. 8 incident which closed down traffic on Old Airport Road from the Highway 3 turn-off to Home Hardware.

Wilson did not return to Yellowknife for the sentencing.

"These are unusual circumstances," said Bruser, warning that he might not elect to impose sentence after hearing what took place that night.

Court heard that on the night of Feb. 8, Wilson left the RTL Robinson Trucking compound with an 18-wheeler en route to Edmonton.

Defence lawyer Graham Watt said his client "began to feel very strange. He felt like he had been drugged, so he pulled over," near Rae before heading back to Yellowknife.

Upon arriving, he barricaded himself inside an office, and, "advised that he had a gun," according to Crown Attorney Sandy Aitken.

Police called in the emergency response team, and a three-hour standoff ensued.

Wilson was observed through the windows, pacing to and fro, turning lights off and on. Eventually, police heard the sound of glass breaking.

Then, Wilson emerged from the office and ran towards an officer.

"In his right hand he was waving something," later identified as a coat, said Aitken.

Wilson eventually complied with police orders and was arrested and charged with mischief.

"These are troubling circumstances," said Aitken.

"They sure are," replied Bruser.

Watt said his client has never felt this way, "before or since this incident."

He added that the only explanation might have been that someone spiked a thermos of coffee Wilson had for his trip.

The coffee was never tested.

In imposing sentence, Bruser noted Wilson's quick guilty plea.

"I accept that what happened was caused by some still unknown psychological or physiological trigger," he added.

In addition to the fine, Bruser placed Wilson on probation. Among the terms of the probation is a provision that Wilson "participate actively in any counselling required," by probation officers in Yukon.