An impaired driver has been sentenced to 45 days in jail
Isaac D. Marsh was sentenced to 45 days of incarceration and was given a two-year driving prohibition with an additional $100 victim fine surcharge, at the regular March 14 sitting of the Estevan court.
Marsh was found guilty of driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol level of 180 mg/L and 170 mg/L, after being administered two breathalyzer tests.
Senior Crown Prosector Mitchell Miller said that Marsh had been pulled over by police when they saw that his tail lights were not functioning. Upon discussing the matter with him, police noticed that he was slurring. Marsh admitted he had a few drinks and it was later determined that he was over the legal limit while operating a motor vehicle.
Marsh’s lawyer stated that he was not aware of his malfunctioning tail lights. He said that Marsh was married and the father of several children who are homeschooled.
The lawyer noted that Marsh was employed in Virden, Manitoba, as a battery operator. It was disclosed that prior to the incident, Marsh had completely abstained from alcohol for a long time.
Aggravating factors in the case included prior impaired driving convictions and the dangerously high blood-alcohol level readings Marsh had at the time of the offence.
Judge Lane Wiegers noted that mitigating factors were Marsh’s efforts to rectify his problem by seeing addictions counselling, but noted that public safety required a sentence proportionate to the seriousness of the crime.
