WINNIPEG — A 29-year-old Winnipeg man who drove home from his cottage while he had a blood alcohol level more than four times the legal limit is going to jail.
A judge has sentenced Jesse Friesen to two weeks to be served on weekends.
Jail for a first-time drunk driver is relatively rare, but the judge said he wanted to send a message.
Friesen is banned from driving for 15 months and also faces two years of probation during which time he’s been ordered not to drink.
The Crown and defence had both suggested a fine and a one-year driving ban, but provincial court Judge Ray Wyant said he was taking off the gloves.
Friesen didn’t hurt anyone or damage property when he hit a ditch, but Wyant said anyone driving a car while drunk may as well be holding a loaded gun.
Friesen, who pleaded guilty earlier this week, had a blood alcohol level of .33, an amount the judge pointed out would leave most people unconscious or near death from alcohol poisoning.
Full and empty beer cans were found in the front seat of the car.
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I doubt it. They would not have even considered jail time here, because a long list of precedent cases here would never support that. In a place where so many peole are on their 4th or 5th or 10th DUIs, his "first time" circumstance would far outweigh the "4 times over the limit" issue, and he'd be given a one-year license suspension (which he would ignore), a big fine (which he would not pay), and he'd go out that night for a celebratory few beers with his buddies ---- and he wouldn't be takin' no stinkin' taxi back home, neither!