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Misbehaving drivers handed heavy sentences and fines

JULIE BERTRAND/Independent reporter

Darrin Gross of Stettler pled guilty to driving with a blood alcohol level exceeding 0.08 when he appeared in Stettler Provincial Court on Thursday, April 28. Gross was charged on March 20, when the RCMP was called to deal with a disturbance at a Stettler liquor establishment. In the course of the investigation, they came across the accused. Gross had a blood alcohol level of 0.160.

“It’s no big secret, but it never ceases to amaze how many people continue to drive while impaired,” said Judge J. B. Mitchell.

“The real punishment is the acquisition of a criminal record, which stains one’s reputation for a long time.”

Gross was fined $1,000 and is prohibited from driving for one year.

Chadwick Kirtley of Big Valley was given a 10-month conditional sentence after pleading guilty to one count of theft over $5,000. Last summer, he and an accomplice stole a car from Intact Insurance and damaged it. Kirtley will have to repay the company $3209.59 for the damages to the car and also abide by a curfew. He will have to stay in residence from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Should he need to be outside during the curfew, he will have to get permission from his supervisor. The curfew will be enforced until Sept. 1, 2011.

Justin Gamble of Stettler was fined $2,960 for operating an unregistered motor vehicle, failing to hold a valid licence and driving a motor vehicle without insurance. Gamble fled the scene of an accident in March. When interrogated by the RCMP, his spouse admitted Gamble had been there.

“If you can afford the vehicle and the gas, then you can afford the insurance,” said Judge Mitchell.

James Blohm of Ponoka was in court to deal with one count of assault and one count of failure to comply with a probation order in connection with a 2009 incident. He is also due to appear in Red Deer provincial court in May for a new charge of driving while impaired. Judge Mitchell warned him to change his behaviour.

“You’re a violent alcoholic. Violent alcoholics belong in prison where they can be controlled,” said Judge Mitchell, advising Blohm to undergo serious alcohol counseling.

Blohm was released on a new bail order of $5,000. He will be back in Stettler provincial court on Oct 13.

Peter Triadopoulos of Drumheller was given a 12-month peace bond of $1,500. He had been charged with one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and one count of unlawful harassment. Triadopoulos cannot own weapons and has to refrain from alcohol and drugs.

Tyler McCrimmon of Mirror pled not guilty to one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of possession of stolen property. He will be back in court on May 12 for his trial.