A former New Brunswick man caught driving without a licence admitted to a judge Wednesday he鈥檚 been behind the wheel occasionally since moving to this province 12 years ago.
鈥淚 drove across the country, no licence or insurance,鈥� declared Garfield Odell. 鈥淢y mom needed me. I just did it.鈥�
Odell immediately admitted to Mounties at a checkstop in Magna Bay when he was pulled over in March this year that he had no licence. But he said he didn鈥檛 know he was prohibited from driving.
The Crown鈥檚 case was handled by articling student Jessica Vliegenthart
鈥淗e got a few tickets when he moved here, never paid them and continued to drive without being caught,鈥� she said.
Odell, 43, said he is living on a disability amount following a back injury. He pleaded guilty to driving while prohibited.
鈥淚鈥檝e been driving ever since this, to get to the doctor,鈥� he said.
He told Judge Stella Frame that a driving ban will hurt his chances of finding work and said he鈥檒l struggle with a recommended $500 fine.
But Frame warned Odell his luck is up and he could face jail as a consequence of further convictions.
鈥淲e have dozens and dozens of people in court in dire circumstances who can鈥檛 drive. We expect them, as we expect you, to find other transportation.鈥�
Frame sentenced Odell to a $575 fine and a one-year driving ban.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not enough to be honest when you鈥檙e pulled over,鈥� she warned. 鈥淵ou need to act honestly, too.鈥�
