Precedent-setting sentence for repeat drunk driver
Posted Feb 12, 2010 04:26:46 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
He’s been called “the worst of the worst” by his victims, by MADD Canada, by the crown attorney and now by the judge presiding over the case of a drunk-driving, hit-and-run incident last March.
Judge Frank Hoskins told the court if Terry Naugle was not the worst offender, he was the worst he’d ever seen. He said Naugle’s history with impaired driving shows he’s likely to re-offend and it’s in the public’s best interest to hand him an appropriate sentence.
Naugle was sentenced to eight and half years in prison. He is due to serve six years and nine months once time served is deducted. Crown attorney Cheryl Byard says it sends a message to drunk drivers in Nova Scotia.
“A strong message to individuals who drink and get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle that this is the type of sentence that they could be facing should they be caught in the same circumstances,” Byard told reporters following the sentencing hearing. Both the crown and the defence said it was the longest sentence they knew of in Nova Scotia for a drunk-driving offense not causing death.
“He placed the paramount importance on the protection of the public,” defence attorney Peter Planatta told reporters.
Julia McMillian and her daughter were her parked vehicle when Naugle hit them last March. No one was injured.
The family has made a point of attending every court proceeding.
“It’s not long term offender (status), but we’re one step closer,” Julia McMillan said today.
Naugle has also been handed a lifetime driving ban, has been ordered to forfeit his vehicle and has a DNA order.
