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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - An 18-year-old man who took a bicycle and tried to make police believe he was someone else was sentenced on Sept. 4 to 60 days in jail.

On June 6, an RCMP officer responded to a call regarding four teens attempting to steal a bicycle. While three of the youths fled, the officer later found the 18-year-old with a bicycle that "appeared to be too small for him," and he was arrested, said Crown lawyer Glen Boyd.

When asked to give his name he presented himself as someone else and he was able to tell police that person's birth date and mother's name. His attempt to disguise his identity was blown, however, when another officer recognized him.

The man was diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome at a young age. Defence lawyer Peter Fuglsang said his client had a "problem with retention," referring to his history of breaching probation. He agreed with the Crown that a "short, sharp sentence might be of assistance" in deterring Dahl from re-offending.

When considering a sentence, Judge Robert Gorin told court that he found it necessary to lean on the harsher side of the Crown's request for 30 to 60 days imprisonment for the theft, obstruction of a peace officer and breaching probation.

The message had to be made, said Gorin, that "if (the convicted man) does things, he's going to be punished."

Even so, added Gorin, "I haven't (been) as harsh as I would have if he were a little older."