A man who was caught driving drunk with a suspended licence and no insurance in Jasper will spend the next six months in jail. Shaun Curtis, 23, who was working in Jasper as a framer, was sentenced to 180 days in prison plus two years of probation. He must also attend alcohol rehabilitation for a minimum of 30 days at a treatment centre, and is banned from bars and homes where alcohol is being consumed or is present. His licence has also been suspended for three years – the maximum penalty the court can impose for such a charge.

He also consented to provide a blood and urine sample to any police officer who suspects Curtis may have consumed alcohol.

Curtis must also return to the court on July 22, 2010 to prove that he has indeed taken treatment for his alcohol use.

Judge Don Norheim said he wanted to send a message with a stiff sentence, stating that people with drinking problems don’t need to drive, and those who do will have to face the consequences.

“I want to make it clear that the law is not toothless when it comes to drinking and driving,” Judge Norheim said. “If you drive in the face of a court order, you go to jail.”

The RCMP received a call to 90 Geikie St. where it was reported that Curtis was passed out at the steering wheel of his car. Once police arrived, Curtis was seen driving away, swerving across the road. RCMP quickly pulled the car over, which turned out to have stolen plates, and an open beer can in the car.

Curtis first offered a false name before identifying himself. He was also slurring his speech and had poor balance, the court heard.

Once he was taken back to the RCMP detachment, Curtis blew over the legal limit of .08, registering readings of .130 and .140 on the breathalyzer. Police also discovered his licence had been suspended due to a previous conviction.

Curtis had lost his licence in Saskatchewan, and told the court he wants to get treatment for his drinking problem. He has a four-year-old son, the court heard, but this was his third conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol.

“I want to get my life together,” Curtis said.

However Judge Norheim wasn’t impressed with Curtis’ pleas, and said he wanted to send a message: those who break a court order are going to jail.

“One impaired charge is understandable. We make mistakes. But a third time is a flagrant disregard for the law,” Norheim said.

Curtis has been in police custody since Sept. 23, opting to serve his time rather than pay bail.