.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife doctor was scolded in court after he was caught driving only two months after he had his licence suspended for drunk driving.

On Oct. 22, 2008, Richard Cunningham, 59, was driving on Highway 3 to Yellowknife from Behchoko, Crown prosecutor Janice Walsh said in territorial court on Friday. Cunningham was behind the wheel when a RCMP car was driving by. One of the officers recognized Cunningham and knew he was not allowed to be driving.

"He appeared to be trying to conceal his identity by having his left arm raised," said Walsh.

Cunningham had previously been convicted on an impaired driving charge after an incident in August 2008. He was restricted from driving for a year and was charged with driving with a suspended licence for the Oct. 22 incident.

"A few short months later Dr. Cunningham has his hands on a vehicle," said Walsh.

She stated there was a passenger in the car who had a valid driver's licence and she drove the car to Yellowknife after Cunningham had been pulled over by police.

"I'm sorry to the court, law enforcement and the people that I serve," said Cunningham.

The doctor has been a physician in Yellowknife for four years. He is currently listed on the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority website as a physician with the Frame Lake Community Health Clinic.

"It would appear Dr. Cunningham was simply ignoring the order," said Judge Robert Gorin.

He said some may think Cunningham "was acting like he was above the law."

Gorin said he did not believe jail was necessary and imposed a consecutive three-year driving prohibition, meaning it will be added to the one-year prohibition currently in effect. Cunningham must also pay a $1,500 fine.