A Fort St. James man was sentenced Tuesday to a further six months in jail for ramming an RCMP vehicle and forcing an early-morning pursuit through the city's Bowl-area streets earlier this year.
Adam Kelly McGowan, 37, who has remained in custody since his July 30 arrest, must also serve 18 months probation once he's completed his jail term and was prohibited from driving for three years.
Addicted to crack cocaine and methamphetamine, McGowan found himself in a "difficult spot" and came up with the idea of trying to commit a break, enter and theft from a Cowart Road business to pay back some money he owed.
At about 2 a.m., RCMP were called to the scene after suspected thieves were spotted on the business's security camera. Two officers attended and one found McGowan's pickup truck parked next to the business's enclosed compound.
McGowan and three others soon fled in the pickup and headed along Cowart Road towards Highway 16. By then the second officer had positioned his SUV across the road and turned on his emergency lights to try to block McGowan.
But McGowan kept going and hit the SUV which ended up off the side of the road. The officer inside the vehicle suffered injuries extensive enough to force him to take time off.
McGowan, meanwhile, blew a tire but didn't stop. Sparks flying and driving on three tires, he reached speeds of up to 110 km/h as he headed east along Highway 16 then north on Highway 97 before turning east on Fifth.
From there McGowan led police on a circuitous route along Winnipeg, Vancouver, Ontario, Queensway, Patricia, 15th, Tabor and Voyageur before finally wedging the pickup between a tree and a small car at the corner of Pioneer Avenue and Trader Crescent in the Highglen neighbourhood. Shortly before, two pedestrians had to jump out of the way to avoid the careening vehicle, the court was told.
With the help of police service dogs, McGowan was arrested, as were Maddison Irene Joyce Calder, 19, of Prince George, and Devin Andrew Jacobs, 31, of Fort St. James. A 30-year-old Fort St. James woman was also arrested but later released.
Stolen tires, a crack pipe and a set of bolt cutters were found in the pickup.
McGowan pleaded guilty to one count each of dangerous driving, flight from a peace officer and break and enter with intent to commit an offence.
McGowan has a criminal record that includes a previous conviction for dangerous driving. He committed his first criminal offence just seven years ago, shortly after he began consuming hard drugs, the court was told.
Dressed in prison reds, McGowan, who had remained in custody for the full 88 days since his arrest, apologized for his actions prior to sentencing. He was also sentenced to seven days in jail for a theft from a liquor store in Mackenzie in May.
After 47 days in custody, Calder was sentenced to jail time served on the matter in September.
Jacobs' case remains before the court. He was released from custody on $5,000 bail earlier this month.
