GRAVENHURST – A man convicted of impaired driving on at least seven other occasions did it again, this time in Gravenhurst.

OPP pulled over a silver sports car doing 149 kilometres in a 100-kilometre zone on Highway 11 southbound just before 6 p.m., June 23. The officer determined the driver Paul Primeau, 52, of Sudbury, was intoxicated, said Crown attorney Lyndsay Jeanes.

Later at the Bracebridge OPP detachment Primeau’s breath test revealed he had 114 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood.

The officer also found about two grams of marijuana in Primeau’s pocket.

At court on July 19, Primeau pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and driving with over 80 mg. of alcohol in 100 ml. of blood. He was in custody.

“On at least seven prior occasions he posed a serious risk to members of society,” said Jeanes, referring to Primeau’s record mostly accumulated in the 1980s and 90s.

Primeau’s wife had bailed him out of jail following the incident, but surrendered her surety shortly after. Primeau’s 19-year-old son had to drive him from Sudbury to Bracebridge so he could re-enter custody.

“I was sober for 19 years and didn’t have any intention of drinking and driving,” Primeau said, adding martial issues prompted him to pick up a bottle again.

“I know I have no right to ask this of the court, but please, I beg you to have mercy on my soul.”

Judge JD Evans sentenced Primeau to four months in custody and a three-year driving prohibition.