A 24-year-old man who evaded police in Estevan just over three years ago was sentenced to four months in prison.
Mason Fleck, 24, appeared in Estevan provincial court on July 20 for sentencing in relation to a brief, but highly dangerous chase, which occurred in 2011, during which time he was suspended from driving. The incident occurred at approximately 5 p.m. and lasted roughly three to five minutes, according to presiding Judge Lane Weigers, who also noted Fleck had reached speeds of 120 km/h in areas of Estevan where the speed limit was 50 km/h.
The Crown was seeking a jail sentence of six months, while the defense requested a six-month conditional sentence that would include electronic monitoring.
A pre-sentence report was referenced by the defense, which highlighted the possibility of such a sentence if electronic monitoring was included.
“This was a highly visible crime in Estevan, and the prior criminal record is concerning,” Weigers said while acknowledging some of the aggravating factors for Fleck.
Weigers noted the pre-sentence report, and said it was important that he consider it strongly, since it noted electronic monitoring was a possibility. He added Fleck was a young man who was turning the corner and had potential, as proven by the gap in his criminal activity and strong work record since the incident in 2011.
However, the aggravating factors, which included a prior criminal record that involved various drinking and driving and driving while suspended charges, were too severe.
Weigers imposed the four-month prison sentence and a concurrent four-month prison sentence for the driving while suspended charge, noting it reflects Fleck’s age and his recent circumstances. Fleck also received a 12-month driving prohibition that will begin once he is released from incarceration.
Fleck’s lawyer said Fleck wanted to apologize to everyone involved with the incident.
In other proceedings, David Penil was sentenced to six months in prison for driving with a blood alcohol level that exceeded .08 milligrams of alcohol.
Penil was arrested on Oct. 1, 2013 in Estevan, during which he was located operating a vehicle near a mobile home at 1:45 a.m. Penil was already prohibited from driving at the time as a result of a previous drinking and driving charge. Weigers noted the incident in 2013 wasn’t severe enough to warrant imprisonment, but that it was his previous record that was a cause for concern.
Penil also received a three-year driving prohibition that will take effect upon his release.
Penil appeared in person, and noted he hadn’t had a drink since the incident, and said he had plans to pursue a university education after his release.
