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Two plead guilty to driving while prohibited in Ucluelet

Rebecca Freda Ann Barichello pled guilty to driving with a suspended license and was issued a $500 fine and one-year driving prohibition.

Barichello, 25, was driving in Ucluelet when she was pulled over around 4:30 p.m. on July 26 2013 and a police investigation determined her license was suspended.

Crown prosecutor Christina Proteau said the Crown sought the minimum penalty-a

$500 fine and one-year driving prohibition-despite Barichello's driving record containing several prior offences.

Barichello's defence attorney said Barichello made a mistake and he noted she is a full-time student in Alberta.

The Honourable Judge T. Dohm commended Barichello for her educational pursuits but warned her about the effects a poor driving record can have on future employment opportunities.

Richard John Scott Stewart pled guilty to driving while prohibited but the court agreed to adjourn his sentencing until August so he could continue driving

through spring. Stewart's defence attorney asked the Honourable Judge T. Dohm to adjourn sentencing until July because Stewart's local businesses are shut down this time of year and Stewart has a contract in Vancouver that requires him to have a valid driver's license.

He said this contract runs until the end of June.

"It's strictly financial reasons; he's on contract (and) he would not be able to fulfill that contract if he could not drive at this time and his other businesses are shut down," he said.

Crown attorney Christina Proteau said the Crown was not opposed to a "reasonable adjournment" based on Stewart's situation.

"It's a bit of an unusual situation, people usually want to get their prohibition started. The prohibition is going to have the same length it will just start later," Proteau said.

The Honourable Judge T. Dohm was concerned about the scheduling because July's court hearings are in Tofino and he wanted the hearing to happen in the town the offence occurred so he set sentencing for Ucluelet's August court date. reporter@westerlynews.ca



Andrew Bailey

About the Author: Andrew Bailey

I arrived at the Westerly News as a reporter and photographer in January 2012.
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