A night of drinking and singing karaoke proved to be the wrong combination for Jennifer Lynn Robinson, who will now have to hitch rides for the next year after losing her licence.
Appearing in Moose Jaw provincial court recently, Robinson pleaded guilty to operating a conveyance — or vehicle — while having a blood alcohol content (BAC) level over .08. In turn, she received a fine of $2,300, a one-year driving ban and had her licence cancelled.
The Crown stayed a charge of impaired driving.
Moose Jaw police were operating a high visibility check stop on Manitoba Street West on May 11 around 9:30 p.m. when Robinson drove through, Crown prosecutor Robbie Parker said while recalling the facts. Officers noticed a smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle.
“She was giddy and talkative. Her eye movements were delayed,” he continued. Police took two breath samples from Robinson, which came back at .210 and .200, or nearly three times the legal limit.
Robinson has a prior conviction from 2006 for a similar offence, Parker noted. Therefore, he suggested she receive an elevated fine of $2,000, with an extra $300 tacked on to reflect that past.
“We went to sing karaoke and just relax because I’m going through a lot of personal issues,” Robinson told Judge Daryl Rayner. Becoming emotional, she added, “I’m going through a lot of issues with my kids and stuff, so they’re just trying to cheer me up.
“I wasn’t looking to be that retarded, but I’m taking full responsibility for it.”
Robinson added that she has started taking counselling and has another meeting scheduled soon with a counsellor.
Rayner accepted the Crown’s sentence recommendations of a driving ban and elevated fine. He gave Robinson until December to either pay off or work off her fine.
Moose Jaw provincial court next sits on June 17.
