Brodie Thomas
Northern News Services
Published Friday, January 11, 2008

YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife man pleaded guilty to one count of drunk driving Tuesday after a breathalyser test showed he had nearly five times the legal blood alcohol limit in his system.

The 55-year-old resident was stopped by police on Nov. 17 after running a red light near Forrest Drive.

The man did not respond to police's flashing lights immediately but instead drove to the Yellowknife Curling Club before parking.

When RCMP approached the man, he said, "I'm sorry. I just got off work and I'm pissed."

Police could smell alcohol inside the vehicle.

They found a half-empty can of beer still within reach of the driver's seat.

The man had trouble standing on his own when he got out of the vehicle.

He continued to need assistance standing even after he was taken to the police station.

A breathalyser test showed that the man had a blood alcohol level of 0.23.

The legal limit in the Northwest Territories is 0.05.

Defence counsel asked for leniency, citing the fact that the man admitted his guilt and was co-operative with police at all times.

Crown counsel told the court the man had two prior drunk driving convictions from 1990 and 1993.

Judge Robert Gorin suspended the man's licence for 18 months and handed down a fine of $1,500.