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Court fines P.A. cop for impaired driving

Nov 21, 2018 | 4:00 PM

14-year veteran of the police force has been handed a fine and a one-year driving ban for impaired driving.

Const. Brett Lee Henry, 36, received the mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 for a first conviction of impaired driving, plus a $300 victim surcharge Wednesday in Prince Albert Provincial Court. As a long-time police officer, Henry has no prior criminal record, and Judge Hugh Harradence said he would have to be convinced to impose more than the mandatory minimum fine in the case.

The Crown in the case took no position on the amount of the fine. As part of the sentencing, Henry’s license is cancelled and he is banned from driving for at least one year.

Henry declined to speak to media Wednesday. Neither his defence lawyer nor the Crown prosecutor in the case returned calls for comment.

Henry was convicted last month of impaired driving stemming from an incident in March of 2017. Harradence found Henry guilty following a lengthy trial, in which he described Henry’s testimony as inconsistent and unreliable.

Henry testified that he was still OK to drive after consuming several drinks throughout the evening at two local bars before driving to a third.

The Prince Albert Police Service suspended Henry with pay following the conviction last month. The police service said it intends to conduct an administrative review, including any implications under the province’s Municipal Police Act.

 

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt