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The judge was direct: she could have sent Justin Collin to the penitentiary for his second and third convictions related to drunk driving.

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Instead, she heavily fined the Warren man and revoked his driver’s license for three years.

“I’m not going to mince words,” Ontario Court Justice Julie Lefebvre told Collin in Sudbury court. “This sentence is low. I would have had no difficulty sending you to the penitentiary.

Collin, who was previously convicted of impaired driving in 2017, was charged with drunk driving offenses in Sudbury in 2023 and 2024.

By showing up in Sudbury court, Collin could have been sentenced to prison.

Judge Lefebvre, however, imposed a fine of $3,000, a three-year license suspension and an 18-month probation order, in addition to giving him a severe lecture.

“I’m already trying to eliminate (alcohol) from my life,” Collin responded. “I realize I have a drinking problem.”

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Collin, 30, had pleaded guilty to refusing a police request for a breath sample and reckless driving (originally impaired driving). Both charges were laid in Sudbury.

Having accepted a joint sentencing proposal submitted by the Crown and defense lawyer Paul Frinak, Lefebvre sentenced Collin to a $2,000 fine, a three-year license suspension and a probation order. of 18 months following a refused request for a breath sample.

She also fined him an additional $1,000 and gave him a concurrent 18-month probation order for careless driving.

The first probation order includes a condition that Collin complete prescribed treatment, specifically for alcohol abuse.

The second probation order includes the condition that Collin completes the provincial Back on Track program.

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The court heard that around 2:40 a.m. on September 27, 2023, the driver of a Volkswagen Tiguan stopped at the intersection of Lasalle Boulevard and Notre-Dame Avenue, in New Sudbury.

The driver – Collin – had passed out on the wheel.

While investigating, Greater Sudbury Police officers noticed the vehicle was parked, but its engine was running. They saw two open containers of alcohol inside the vehicle, as well as other unopened ones.

At first, Collin did not wake up and only did so after the officers pushed him. Appearing confused, Collin refused to be examined by paramedics.

Collin, who had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, refused to provide a breath sample and was charged.

Then, shortly after 2 a.m. on March 29 of this year, Greater Sudbury Police officers who were checking for impaired drivers in the Donovan area saw Collin leave an establishment, get into his vehicle and leave.

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The officers followed him onto Kathleen Street and stopped a short time later.

Collin was charged with drunk driving.

“He has had problems with drink driving in the past and clearly on these occasions,” Frinak told the court.

Frinak said Collin sought help for his alcohol problems, but couldn’t afford the cost of the services he found.

“Probation will help him get that help,” the attorney said.

Frinak said Collin, who is a diamond driller, thought he could refuse to provide a roadside breath sample, but had to provide samples for Intoxilyzer testing at the police station.

When Collin arrived at police headquarters, Frinak said “it was too late when he got there.”

Having had the opportunity to address Lefebvre before being sentenced, Collin said: “I’m sorry. You will never see me in court again.

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Judge Lefebvre told Collin the facts of his case were troubling.

“Being a sober driver is one thing,” she told him. “Driving under the influence is something else.”

Lefebvre told Collin that one of the consequences of his two convictions is that his insurance premiums will increase significantly when he gets his license back in three years. She also warned him not to return to court with another drunk driving charge.

“If you go somewhere and decide to drink, you better plan ahead,” the judge emphasized. “Probation will make your rehabilitation easier… Take advantage of it. »

Following Collin’s two pleas, the Crown dropped the remaining charges against him.

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X: @HaroldCarmichae

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