SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A 64-year-old man was given one day in jail on Tuesday after he was caught trying to sneak two bottles of Aussie Sponge Hairspray, with a combined value of $6, out of Wal-Mart on April 12.

He pleaded guilty to theft under $5,000.

Crown lawyer Mathieu St. Germain said the man had "quite a lengthy criminal record," mostly involving property-related crimes.

Defence lawyer Tom Boyd said his client has already made arrangements to go to the Salvation Army's addictions program, and then to Hay River for a drug rehabilitation program this summer.

"Here is a man with a very deep-rooted substance abuse problem," said Boyd.

Judge Bernadette Schmaltz said she was happy to hear the man has taken the initiative to try and turn his life around.

"I don't think I would be going too far beyond the line by saying the hairspray you were taking was to do with your substance abuse problem," said Schmaltz.

The man was given one day in jail, which was considered to be served by his appearance in court, and six months. He was also given probation with the requirement that he completes both the Salvation Army's addictions program and the Hay River rehabilitation program, and that he does not enter Wal-Mart.

$1,000 drunk driving ordeal

A man was fined $1,000 on Tuesday for driving a vehicle with a blood alcohol content reading of .11 grams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood on April 16.

"I've certainly heard higher readings, but the limit is .08," Judge Bernadette Schmaltz said in territorial court.

A citizen saw the man's green car driving dangerously near Wal-Mart, speeding and fishtailing, according to the statement of facts read in the courtroom.

Thirty minutes later the vehicle was stopped for speeding and the man was given a breathalyzer test, which he failed. At the RCMP detachment he was given two more tests, which had readings of .10 and .11.

He had no criminal record and quickly pleaded guilty.

"I apologize for my actions and all I can say is I regret this matter," the man said.

Girlfriend-puncher gets probation

A 28-year-old man who punched his girlfriend in the face while he was drunk, breaking her glasses, received a suspended sentence in territorial court on May 21.

Judge Christine Gagnon gave the man 12 months probation and a suspended sentence which means if he commits an offence while on probation, he could be sent to jail for his Jan. 31 assault.

"I am truly sorry for what I've done," said the man, who admitted he has an alcohol problem.

His lawyer, Jay Bran, said the man considers this incident a "wake-up call."