Curfew for fleeing police

It is a rare case of criminally fleeing the police without having committed a crime.

Steven Justus, 19, could not flee justice in Steinbach court last Nov. 22.

Justus did not want to get someone else’s motorcycle impounded by the police on April 12. Justus, who was 18 at the time and had no prior criminal record, had a license to ride but was using a bike from someone his defence lawyer Stephen Legault said he had just met that day.

Police in Steinbach saw the motorcycle had no rear license plate so initiated a traffic stop. Instead of pulling over, Justus downshifted and sped away west down Highway 52.

Police did not pursue for safety reasons, but went to the Main Street store they saw him parked in front of minutes earlier. Stills of Justus without his helmet on and a clear view of his face were taken from video surveillance.

The police told the driver of a car they saw speaking with Justus that they would release the photos to media if he did not turn himself in. The driver said he did not know Justus well, but would pass on the message to mutual friends.

Justus turned himself in on April 25 and now has a criminal record.

Senior Judge Murray Thompson said he considered it mitigating that the married man was so young. He also described Justus’s actions as seemingly “out of character,” after Justus gave an emotional apology in court.

“It was an irrational decision and not the best choice I ever made,” Justus told the judge ahead of sentencing.

Judge Thompson agreed to the joint Crown and defence recommendation of a three-month conditional sentence order served in the community. It includes an order to abstain from drugs and alcohol, and a curfew outside of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday for work and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for church and errands.