A trip to the Sobeys liquor store didn’t go as planned for Alan Russell Amundrud, who was already inebriated when he drove to the store and walked inside.
Appearing in Moose Jaw provincial court recently, Amundrud, 60, from Craik, pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level over the legal limit of .08. He was fined $2,500, and given a victim surcharge of $750, which means he will have to pay or work off $3,250 in penalties. Furthermore, he was banned from driving for one year and had his licence cancelled.
The Crown stayed a charge of impaired driving.
Moose Jaw police were called to the liquor store on Feb. 3 around 7:15 p.m. for a report of an “unwanted guest,” explained Crown prosecutor Rob Parker. When they arrived, they noticed that Amundrud smelled of alcohol, had difficulty keeping his balance, and swayed.
The police asked Amundrud to provide breath samples after reviewing security footage that showed the Craik farmer drive into the parking lot. His samples came back at .29 and .28, which were more than three times the legal limit.
“The readings are a huge problem,” Parker said, which is why they attract the fine of $2,500. Since Amundrud is a farmer, he will also be forced to pay the 30-per-cent victim surcharge.
Parker added that the Craik resident has a prior criminal record, but it dates from 13 years ago.
“I want to apologize to the court and everyone,” Amundrud said to Judge Daryl Rayner.
Rayner accepted the man’s plea, pointing out that, since the BAC readings were “extraordinarily high,” he had to impose a higher fine.
Moose Jaw provincial court next meets on March 5.
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