Dustin Ratt was sentenced Tuesday at Prince Albert Provincial Court. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

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Prior to sentencing a man to nine months jail, a Prince Albert judge noted the case was an example of why each sentence hearing needs to be individualized.

Dustin Ratt, 38, appeared Tuesday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court. A number of guilty pleas were entered on his behalf including escaping lawful custody, flight from police and dangerous driving.

The case dates back to mid-March, when Saskatchewan RCMP’s Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST) began actively investigating the whereabouts of Ratt, who at the time was wanted on an outstanding warrant from Prince Albert Police Service for escaping lawful custody from the Community Training Residence (CTR). The facility is for inmates who have proven good behaviour, are considered a low risk to the community and are able to work in the community.

As a result of continued investigation, it was determined Ratt was at a residence on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. However when officers approached the residence, Ratt was observed fleeing in a truck.

Through the use of tire deflation device, police were able to bring the vehicle to a stop but Ratt then fled on foot to a wooded area. He was soon located at a nearby residence, and arrested without incident.

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When asked why Ratt escaped lawful custody, his lawyer Terra Lennox-Zepp explained he had received a phone call from his father, advising him he was terminally ill and wanted his son to come home.

Ratt’s father passed away on March 28.

With respect to the flight, Ratt explained by the time he saw the police lights, he was already near the house where he was headed and planned to stop there.

Crown lawyer Gail Douglas also described the actual pursuit as short and not very serious.

Prior to accepting the joint submission, Judge Jeff Lubyk explained that on paper, without hearing the background story, he would have initially thought the proposed sentence was too light.

Offering his condolences to Ratt, Lubyk explained he had other options including making an application for compassionate leave.

“You made this decision on your own,” he said.

As part of the sentence hearing, Zepp read a support letter from Ratt’s mother who expressed her desire to have her son returned home to assist with the jobs her husband did prior to his passing.

As she read the letter, Ratt was visibly upset and crying. When given the opportunity to speak, he apologized for his actions.

At the time of his escape, Ratt’s previous early release date was in April and the sentence he was serving would have expired in September. Upon release he would have had a two-year driving prohibition to serve.

As a result of his current conviction, Ratt will have an extra year tacked on to the ban.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell