Clarion Staff
Jesse Wallner has been sentenced for crimes including theft and driving under the influence of alcohol in Kindersley provincial court on May 15. He received a range of penalties.
The accused pleaded guilty to a breath sample demand refusal and to two counts of theft under $5,000. John Knox, the Crown prosecutor, said he was proceeding as a first offence to refusing a breath demand, a charge that carries the same penalties as an impaired driving conviction.
Knox said he could ask for a jail sentence due to Wallner’s criminal history and the range of charges before the court, but he was giving him a break. He noted that circumstances from both cases are straight forward.
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He told the court that the accused was driving a vehicle with no licence plates on June 10 when he pulled out onto Ditson Drive in front of police. The police stopped the vehicle. The police detected a strong odour of alcohol coming from the vehicle.
The driver’s breath also smelled of alcohol and he stumbled while he walked. The police made a breath demand and Wallner refused to co-operate, so he was charged. Knox said the accused was also unruly with the police.
Knox said Wallner was also caught stealing alcohol from the Sobeys Liquor Store in Kindersley near the beginning of 2018. A video showed Wallner put a bottle of alcohol in his coat and he appeared to pay for one bottle while stealing another bottle. The accused was also caught stealing items from an auto parts store.
Judge Robert Jackson told Wallner that with his record, he could be facing a jail term the next time he is charged. The accused was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $300 surcharge fine and to serve a 12-month driving prohibition for the refusal.
The judge also ordered the accused to serve a 12-month conditional sentence for stealing. His conditions include reporting to probation, living at an approved residence and abstaining from alcohol and drugs. He was also ordered to pay two victim surcharge fines of $100 each.
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