by Keith Lacey
A Sudbury man who has completely turned his life around since he quit drinking almost 10 years ago was spared house arrest and praised for the dramatic changes in his life.
For an 18-month period between 1992 and 1994 in the Timiskaming area of Northern Quebec, Gerard Piquette deceived, lied to and cheated dozens of business owners.
He passed bad cheques, borrowed money he never repaid, left without paying his bills and made promises to repay money to numerous businesses. Piquette received a 16-month jail sentence in 1994 for his indiscretions.
Piquette pleaded guilty to providing false pretenses and committing fraud against numerous businesses during the same time period almost a decade ago.
However, Justice William Fitzgerald refused to impose any further incarceration against Piquette, praising the man for doing so much to turn his life around since he returned to the Sudbury area nine years ago. Instead, he placed Piquette on probation for two years and fined him $1,000 after hearing Piquette has repaid every business he cheated.
?With all the changes in your life, you have come full circle?those circumstances no longer exist,? said the veteran judge.
Defence counsel James Mason told the court Piquette was a hardened alcoholic during this time period and he resorted to cheating, lying and deceiving to obtain free food, lodging, hair cuts and groceries during an 18-month span.
After serving his long jail sentence, Piquette quit drinking, was rehired by a brother who once fired him due to a lack of trust, remarried and gained a solid reputation as a hard working, honest man, said Mason.
Piquette has repaid every business he defrauded and just wants to get on with his life, said Mason.
Assistant Crown attorney Guy Roy said a conditional sentence would be appropriate because there
were so many businesses involved over such a long period of time.
A young father of two who almost killed himself after losing control of his vehicle while under the influence was given a hefty fine and lengthy driver?s license suspension Wednesday.
Court heard Steven Cook, 28, was driving from the Kingston area to Sault Ste. Marie last May 31. He had two beers early on in his trip and then stopped for a meal and consumed another four beers while in Sudbury.
About 40 kilometres past Sudbury on Hwy. 17, Cook lost control of his vehicle, crossed the centre line and ended up in a ditch on the other side of the highway.
Defence counsel Ted Conroy said Cook ?underestimated? the effects of the beer in the middle of such a long trip, but fully realizes it did effect his driving that evening. Since the accident, Cook has quit drinking and has dedicated his life to his wife and two young children, who were with him in court.
Conroy said his client fully realizes he was almost killed during this incident. Because Cook has a previous conviction for drunk driving, a $2,000 fine and license suspension would be appropriate, said Conroy.
Assistant Crown attorney Guy Roy agreed an increased penalty was required as this was Cook?s second drunk driving conviction. It was only through good fortune Cook or anyone else was not seriously injured or killed, said Roy.
Justice William Fitzgerald agreed a hefty fine of $2,000 and 18-month licence suspension were in order.
