Man fined $6,000 for driving without insurance

BARRHEAD - A man received a hefty fine after pleading guilty to driving without proper insurance.

Nicholas Myles Lake received a $6,000 fine from Justice Carrie-Ann Downey during an Aug. 13 session at Barrhead Court of Justice.

Lake has until Aug. 27, 2025, to pay the fine. If Lake does not pay the fine in full by the deadline, he risks potential jail time of up to 60 days.

Provincial traffic Crown prosecutor R. Rees said the County of Barrhead's community peace officer discovered Lake did not have insurance following a May 7 traffic stop.

She noted that the fine is the minimum she could impose, given that this was the second time Lake had been convicted of the offence, the first being in November 2021.

"That is quite a hefty fine,"  Downey said, adding that initially, the matter had been scheduled for trial." Do you want to proceed or consider your options regarding pleading guilty?"

Lake confirmed that he wished to plead guilty.

She then asked about his employment status.

Lake replied that he had recently been laid off from his job.

Given his circumstances, Downey said Lake may have difficulty paying off the fine by the deadline.

She suggested that Lake attempt to pay the fine down in instalments, saying that if he demonstrated to the court that he was striving, in good faith, to meet his obligation, he would likely be granted an extension.

Downey said Lake could reduce his owes by applying to the Alberta Fine Options program, which allows people to work off a portion of their fines.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com