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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A man who failed to show up for his trial on Wednesday was convicted of driving while intoxicated, fined $1,200 and prohibited from driving for a year.

The man was caught driving erratically through downtown Yellowknife on Feb. 2.

Judge Robert Gorin ruled the trial would go ahead, despite requests from defence attorneys Brad Enge on Tuesday and Kelly Payne on Wednesday to adjourn the matter as their client is in Nova Scotia. Both requests were denied.

The Crown presented three witnesses in the case. A Yellowknife man testified he had seen a grey Dodge Ram randomly speeding up and slowing down as well as swerving through the downtown area around 2 a.m. The man called RCMP and followed the vehicle until police arrived.

RCMP said they questioned the suspect driver who admitted to consuming alcohol that evening. Using a breathalyzer, police found him to be double the legal limit of intoxication.

"I am satisfied that it has been proven (the accused) operated a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs," said Gorin. "I find (him) guilty as charged."