Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 7/1/2016 (1715 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As a convicted drug dealer who was out on bail facing new charges, Andrew Brown wasn’t really in the position to be the moral authority on anything.

But the 25-year-old Winnipeg man insists that was his only intention when he hopped into a friend’s running vehicle one night last fall and sped away — only to crash moments later into a lamp post in an otherwise-empty parking lot.

"I just wanted to show him you shouldn’t leave your car unattended with the keys in it," Brown told court on Thursday after pleading guilty to impaired driving.

"Being a close family friend, I wanted to show him that whether you are in St. Vital or on Salter in the north side, someone will get in your car and steal it."

Provincial court Judge Dale Harvey said this is one of the most unusual explanations he’s ever heard in a drunk driving case.

"In trying to teach him a lesson, hopefully you have learned one yourself," said Harvey.

"Indeed," replied Brown.

'I don’t even know how that happened'

The strange incident unfolded in the early morning hours last Oct. 31. Brown had gone to a bar with several friends — despite the fact he was on bail at the time, which included a curfew and abstain from alcohol clause. Brown had a previous drug conviction and was arrested in early 2015 on new narcotics charges.

"It was Gate Night. My buddies convinced me to go out. I thought it was harmless, getting that one night of freedom after you’ve been good for so long," Brown explained Thursday.

"Your buddies who convinced you to go out that night — are they sharing the cell with you?" the veteran judge shot back.

"No sir," said Brown.

Brown admits he downed numerous tequila shots and beer, but he had a designated driver. On their way home, the group of friends stopped at a McDonald’s on St. Anne’s Road for a bite to eat. And that’s when the real trouble began, as Brown said his friend in a separate car left it running and unlocked when he went inside.

Brown admits he was in no condition to drive and quickly confessed his sins after McDonald’s staff members called police after he hit the light pole.

"I (expletive) up," he told officers at the scene. "Look how big this parking lot is and I just crashed into that light. I don’t even know how that happened."

A breath test showed he was nearly double the legal limit for driving at the time. As well, Brown was also a suspended driver as a result of several previous Highway Traffic Act infractions.

Harvey imposed $1,890 in total fines and surcharges Thursday, along with a one-year driving ban. Brown has been in custody since his arrest more than two months ago because his bail on the outstanding drug charges was revoked. He now remains behind bars.

www.mikeoncrime.com