A Brant County man, who “didn’t give a crap” about being seen drunk, was sentenced to jail when he appeared in Brantford’s Ontario Court.
Justice Colette Good heard that, one Friday night in 2019, Richard Brooks, 50, drove into the city to pick up a pizza from a King George Road restaurant. While waiting for his order, he stumbled around his vehicle and drank beer.
“You were so drunk that you didn’t give a crap that everyone was going to see what you were doing and call the cops,” said Good.
Police found open alcohol in Brooks’ vehicle. He gave police his health card instead of his driver’s license and blew a blood-alcohol reading so high that Good noted most people would be unable to function.
“Those readings alone tell me you have a significant drinking problem.”
Eight months later, while still under release orders from the earlier offence, Brooks was arrested for impaired driving.
Defense lawyer Eric Angevine said his client has since abstained from alcohol and is a reduced danger to the community.
He suggested a conditional sentence for Brooks with a period of house arrest monitored by an ankle bracelet.
But assistant Crown attorney Anthony Minelli noted that Brooks had a previous impaired driving conviction – albeit from 26 years ago. His recent offenses make Brooks’s behavior “quite aggravating,” said Minelli.
“There was a significant gap in his record but, with the second offense while on release for the first, it’s worthy of a jail sentence,” said Minelli, asking for a six-month jail sentence.
The judge commended Brooks for working on his sobriety.
“As long as you don’t drink, you’re probably never going to come before this court again.”
But she noted that the aggravating features of his offenses call for “real jail,” even though she tries to avoid a jail sentence if there are other options.
“A conditional sentence would not hold you accountable as someone who has done this crime three times. You’re not getting the message.”
Good sentenced Brooks to four months in jail. He also will be prohibited from driving for three years, although the judge noted the Ministry of Transportation could take away his license for longer.
She warned Brooks that, getting caught again driving while drunk, likely will send him back to jail and could cost him his license forever.
@EXPSGamble