Reckless driving nets jail time, ban

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This article was published 19/05/2023 (1048 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A man who led police on a car chase through downtown Brandon last summer was sentenced to 18 months in jail and a five-year driving ban in court Thursday.

Derek Blagden pleaded guilty to flight from police, carrying a concealed weapon and two charges of operating a vehicle while prohibited.

Prosecutors and the defence agreed on the sentence, which would also give Blagden credit for the 15 and a half months he has already spent behind bars.

Crown attorney Caroline Lacey read the following evidence for the charges in court.

Last June 29, Brandon Police Service officers were on patrol when they observed a white Hyundai Elantra being driven by Blagden, a man police knew from previous run-ins. A computer search by police showed that Blagden was on a driving suspension by Manitoba Public Insurance.

The car was travelling southbound toward the Daly Overpass and the 100 block of 18th Street North when it turned from the curb lane to the median lane without signalling. Police followed the vehicle to a stop light on 18th Street and Princess Avenue, where they activated their lights, telling the car to pull over.

But instead of pulling over, Blagden turned his car southbound on 14th Street, ignoring the one-way street sign and driving down the street in the wrong direction. Police continued to follow the car and activated their sirens.

Then Blagden spun the back end of the car out at an intersection on 14th Street while making an eastbound turn. He continued to drive eastbound on Louise Avenue at a “high rate of speed,” blowing a stop sign on 13th Street. Blagden then turned northbound on 11th Street and drove out of officers’ view.

Police ended their pursuit of Blagden and later found the car abandoned in a parking lot on the 1100 block of Pacific Avenue.

Police checked numerous addresses under Blagden’s name but were unable to locate him, so they issued a warrant for his arrest.

Police wouldn’t find Blagden until July 9, when officers on patrol saw a man riding a BMX bike though the Pizza Hut parking lot. Recognizing the man as Blagden, officers arrested him, and upon searching him found a set of brass knuckles in the pocket of his pants and two sets of knives in a drawstring bag he was wearing.

During sentencing, Lacey pointed to the numerous driving convictions that Blagden has on his criminal record and his violation of driving prohibitions.

“Driving is a privilege, it’s not a right,” the Crown attorney said. “And Mr. Blagden continually abuses that privilege.”

Lacey also asked the judge to sentence Blagden to a lengthy Canada-wide driving ban between five and seven years.

“General deterrence is also important here to send a message to the public that when you are repeatedly disobeying an order that you’re put on to not operate a motor vehicle, the consequences will be very severe,” she said.

Defence lawyer Bob Harrison told the court his 32-year-old client showed remorse for his actions by accepting responsibility for his actions and pleading guilty. Harrison said Blagden was using crystal methamphetamine during the period where he accumulated his charges, which affected his judgment.

Harrison added Blagden has a 17-year-old daughter who he wants to have a closer relationship with.

The defence lawyer said Blagden, who is Indigenous, had a tough life growing up and spent time in many foster homes.

Blagden declined to comment to the court.

Ultimately, Judge Shauna Hewitt-Michta sentenced Blagden to 18 months in jail along with a five-year driving ban, leaving a jail term of two and a half months.

Hewitt-Michta reminded Blagden of his “terrible” record of driving offences.

“Please stop this immature, dangerous behaviour,” the judge said. “I don’t want to see you back here for this kind of thing again, and I definitely don’t want to be sending you to the penitentiary next time.”

» gmortfield@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @geena_mortfield