The Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court sentenced a 44-year-old man to more than five months in jail on July 18 in Prince George after he pleaded guilty to seven offences.
Judge Paul Dohm sentenced Steven Russell Vankoughnett for flight from police, possession of stolen property over $5,000, impaired driving, two counts of driving while prohibited and two breaches of his release order.
Court heard about Vankoughnett’s three incidents this year.
First, on Jan. 25, he led Prince George RCMP on a chase while he drove a white older model pickup truck that had been stolen two days earlier. Vankoughnett was already banned from driving at the time of the offence.
On April 17 in Dawson Creek, police found him in the passenger seat of a vehicle. Vankoughnett was supposed to be serving house arrest at the time.
Then, on May 12 in Chetwynd, police received a report of a van that had crossed the centre line on the highway, hit a shoulder and almost hit the ditch multiple times. Police eventually stopped the vehicle, but Vankoughnett fled. He gave two breath samples over the legal limit for alcohol impairment. At the time, Vankoughnett was under both house arrest and a driving prohibition.
Vankoughnett’s lawyer said the Dawson Creek-born and raised man did not finish Grade 12 but has worked for 22 years in gravel crushing.
“He has an untreated, out-of-control alcohol addiction,” lawyer David Jenkins Jr. told Dohm.
Dohm noted Vankoughnett’s guilty plea, some remorse and a desire to change his ways.
He accepted the joint Crown and defence proposal for a 290-day sentence plus 30 months probation.
“It adequately addresses the circumstances and the relevant sentencing principles,” Dohm said.
Dohm gave Vankoughnett credit for time served in custody before the hearing, leaving 161 days left, plus 30 months probation.
Conditions include no possession of alcohol, illegal drugs or intoxicating substances, except he can drink in his residence. Vankoughnett is banned from driving for five years under the Motor Vehicle Act. A five-year ban on driving under the Criminal Code begins after his release from jail. He must not be drunk in public and must stay away from any licensed establishment that sells or serves alcohol to anyone aged 19 and up. He must also attend a treatment program, as directed by a probation officer.
“Mr. Vankoughnett,” Dohm said, “the message I give to you is: I know you have an issue with alcohol, but never mix driving with alcohol. Do not drive anytime in the next five years. That's your biggest concern for everybody. So, do not do that. I wish you the best dealing with your alcoholism and your treatment.”
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