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Drinking and driving. (Fotolia)

Two drivers whose blood alcohol levels were double the legal limit were fined $1,200 and $2,000 Monday in Sarnia court based on their criminal records.

Rebecca Andrews, 32, of Petrolia pleaded guilty to the Aug. 8 charge impaired driving in Petrolia and was fined $1,200.

She had no criminal record.

Court was told that on Aug. 8 police stopped Andrews’ swerving vehicle after it had been on the wrong side of the road.

Andrews told an officer she had consumed one beer.

Breath tests showed Andrews, who nearly fell walking from her vehicle, had a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit.

“I deeply regret it,” said Andrews.

The level was extreme and Andrews had put people at risk, said Justice Mark Hornblower, as he imposed the fine and a one-year driving ban.

Richard Sidney Hughson, 62, of Bothwell, pleaded guilty to the Aug. 21 charge of impaired driving in Dawn-Euphemia Township and was fined $2,000.

Hughson had four prior drinking-and-driving convictions, but the last one was 20 years ago and the Crown did not rely on the record to seek jail time.

Hughson had been called by the OPP to give some of his friends a ride after their vehicle had been towed.

Hughson could not find the scene and officers saw Hughson’s vehicle making numerous u-turns.

Hughson, who smelled strongly of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet, had a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit.

“I made a mistake in judgment,” said Hughson.

It was a big mistake and an offence to drive, regardless of who had called him, said Hornblower.

Due to the record Hornblower imposed a $2,000 fine and a one-year driving ban.

A longer driving ban may be imposed by government authorities due to the record, said Hornblower.


Source: The Sarnia Observer