BRIDGEWATER - Clarence Green Jr. pleaded guilty to a drunk driving charge although he says he was not behind the wheel when police arrested him.

 "I was home for over an hour and I did have a quart of rum and I was drinking at the time" when police arrived, he said after pleading guilty to impaired driving in Bridgewater provincial court August 6.

 Judge Jim Burrill levied a $1,200 fine and banned Mr. Green from driving in Canada for a year. Mr. Green has six months to pay the fine.

 The charge stems from a June 17 incident when police were called to a Martins Point address in response to a report of an altercation between a father and his son.

 Lunenburg County RCMP "noticed a vehicle smashed out in the driveway," and a female greeted officers at the home and advised them of the altercation and mentioned that one of the men "had just driven home," Crown attorney Lloyd Tancock told the court.

 Mr. Tancock said Mr. Green Jr. "stumbled" into the kitchen from the living room when police asked for his whereabouts.

 "He had drops of blood on his hands and numerous cuts and scrapes," Mr. Tancock said, adding that Mr. Green smelled of liquor and had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

 After police took Mr. Green into custody, he blew breathalyzer readings of 270 and 260 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

 Mr. Green wasn't employed at the time of his court appearance but said his common occupation is as a welder. He represented himself in the proceedings and told the court he sought legal aid but was informed he didn't qualify.

posted on 08/12/08