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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A man who admits fleeing from police and speeding upwards of 180 km/h has had his sentencing postponed because he says he wasn't drunk at the time.

Jason Larocque, 27, had pleaded guilty to a number of charges in plea bargain with prosecutors including reckless driving, evading police and assault causing bodily harm stemming from two separate incidents last year. But his refusal to admit he was intoxicated while fleeing from police in a speeding car on Highway 3 last September led to a prosecution request for more time to prepare for Larocque's sentencing hearing.

"He's denying he was impaired at the time," said Crown prosecutor Glen Boyd. "As a result of the plea bargain, that charge of impaired driving was going to be withdrawn but he's disputing that he was impaired so we will be bringing evidence forward on that."

A recess during the initial sentencing hearing Monday was taken so defence lawyer Caroline Wawzonek could talk to Larocque about the intoxication issue. Wawzonek said her client was not going to change his position.

Judge Robert Gorin delayed sentencing to Feb. 21 because the evidence Larocque was intoxicated is "highly relevant to the sentencing."

The reckless driving and evading police charges stem from Sept. 18, when Larocque was arrested along with a passenger after a high speed pursuit on Highway 3 between Behchoko and Yellowknife.

RCMP received a call about a green vehicle parked at the Highway 3 junction and a man staggering around outside the vehicle.

The RCMP officers who responded to the call were passed by the green vehicle heading northbound towards Yellowknife. Police clocked the speed of the vehicle at 153 km/h. The police turned around and pursued it., reaching speeds of 180 km/h without gaining ground.

The vehicle eventually slowed down to 120 km/h and police saw the driver and the passenger switch seats with the vehicle still in motion. It swerved while the driver moved to the back of the vehicle.

When the car finally came to a stop, RCMP found Larocque in the back seat of the vehicle. Three bottles of vodka were found under a seat.

Larocque initially gave police a false name and said he was sleeping in the back seat of the car and woke up when he heard the sirens. Upon further investigation he gave his real name and admitted to driving the car. Larocque was prohibited from driving in January 2007.

The assault charge stems from an incident on July 27 2008 on 48 Street in front of Creative Basics. Larocque knocked a man to the ground and proceeded to kick and punch him in the head.

The accused then fled the scene in a vehicle driven by a woman with whom he was not supposed to be in contact with and went to her residence.

The victim was taken to Stanton Territorial Hospital where he received treatment for his injuries.

Boyd also said the Crown will seek a substantial jail sentence and a lengthy driving prohibition.

Larocque is currently in jail awaiting his sentence.