A local man who has spent much of his adult life behind bars was given another six-month sentence after getting severely intoxicated, hitting another car, leaving the scene of an accident and driving without insurance Monday night.
Carlos Vaillancourt, 28, pleaded guilty to impaired driving and numerous other charges Wednesday. Besides the jail sentence, Vaillancourt had his driver?s licence suspended for two years and must pay a $1,000 fine.
Court heard two people phoned police after noticing a vehicle weaving badly all over the road in Valley East Monday around 10 pm. The vehicle in question eventually crossed into oncoming traffic and sideswiped another vehicle. Instead of offering help, the driver fled on foot. Police caught him a short distance away inside a fast food restaurant.
The man was identified as Vaillancourt, who showed numerous signs of intoxication. When he was brought to police headquarters, Vaillancourt was so heavily under the influence, he became sick.
Court heard Vaillancourt recently finished serving a four-year penitentiary term and now has 60 convictions on his record. He is the father of a three-year-old child.
Before sentence was imposed, Vaillancourt said his child ?means everything to me? and he was extremely sorry for getting drunk and getting into so much trouble.
Justice William Fitzgerald said it was difficult to believe Vaillancourt?s words of remorse as ?you now have double the convictions you have years,? noting his 60 convictions for a man who is only 28 years of age.
If he wants to become a good father and remain out of trouble, the only person who can ensure that happens is Vaillancourt himself, said Fitzgerald to the accused.
