An "immensely sorry" intoxicated driver apologized to a judge Wednesday for his "actions and behaviour" on the afternoon of Oct. 20.
Robert Allard said he showed "a lack of regard for public safety and put anyone on the road in danger."
The 38-year-old local man pleaded guilty to impaired driving, stemming from his erratic driving on Trunk Road that day.
Ontario Court Justice Romuald Kwolek heard police received a complaint at 2:15 p.m about a swerving vehicle travelling westward from the Garden River area.
City police officers spotted the vehicle on Trunk Road at South Market Street.
When they approached the car, they found the driver was doing something in the console, prosecutor David Didiodato said.
Allard's speech was slurred and there was an odour of alcohol on his breath.
When he opened the console to get his licence, the cops noticed two empty bottles of Fireball whiskey, as well as an empty bottle of Smirnoff vodka in the door pocket.
When he was getting out of the vehicle Allard stumbled twice, Didiodato said.
The accused only provided one breath sample, which indicated a reading of 290 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.
He has no prior criminal record, the assistant Crown attorney said, calling for the minimum $1,000 fine for the first-time drinking and driving offence and a 12-month driving prohibition.
Didiodato also noted there were triable issues because only one breathalyzer sample had been obtained
Allard told the judge he had three years of continuous sobriety prior to the incident.
"I worked in mental health and drug addiction for a First Nation.... I helped other individuals."
Following his arrest, he said he was terminated from his position because he was unable to drive.
"I'm sober today" and "trying to get back on my feet."
When he imposed the sentence, Kwolek cited several aggravating factors, including the serious circumstances, erratic driving and elevated reading.
Allard's early pleas indicate remorse, he's returned to sobriety and has insight into his problem, the judge also noted.
In addition to the $1,000 fine, Allard must pay a $300 victim surcharge.
Kwolek gave him two years to pay the monetary penalties.
He is banned from getting behind the wheel for one year.