CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A P.E.I. man who was described as a “chronic offender” when it comes to driving while disqualified was sentenced Friday to 19 months in jail on his 10th and 11th convictions for that offence.
Preston James Blaisdell, 35, appeared before Chief Justice Tracey Clements in P.E.I. Supreme Court in Charlottetown for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to the two counts.
Blaisdell was caught driving in March when a police officer saw him behind the wheel of a vehicle stopped at an intersection in Stratford.
Less than a month later, an officer spotted Blaisdell driving in Stratford again despite a court-ordered ban that was still in effect from a previous conviction.
In both cases, Blaisdell tried to avoid getting caught by switching seats with a passenger.
On Friday, Clements talked about Blaisdell’s lengthy criminal record and said he could be described as a “chronic offender” of driving prohibition breaches.
Clements said the frequency of Blaisdell’s convictions for driving while disqualified was concerning.
It was difficult to come up with any conclusion other than Blaisdell has no respect for the law, she said.
Letters of support
As she reviewed the case, Clements referred to several letters of support for Blaisdell.
Blaisdell also gave the court a letter he wrote in which he said he was committed to start living life the “right way” and never go back to jail.
During the proceedings, Blaisdell sat at the defence table wearing a jail sweatsuit with his wrists cuffed as he listened to Clements give her decision on a sentence.
Along with the jail time, which will be reduced for time served since Blaisdell’s arrest in April, he will be on probation for 18 months after his release.
That probation includes a condition Blaisdell take any driver’s education program his probation officer orders.
Clements, who sentenced Blaisdell in 2018, declined to order a further driving prohibition because he is still under the prohibition from that conviction.
After sentencing Blaisdell, Clements addressed him, saying she went back to listen to comments she made in 2018.
At that time, she told Blaisdell she hoped he would be able to make better choices.
On Friday, Clements said she remembered leaving the courtroom after the sentencing in 2018 with a sense her comments rang hollow to Blaisdell.
Clements said she wouldn’t repeat her comments.
“I’m sure you know the changes that you need to make,” she said.
