Man who dragged cop in stolen car facing prison

Article content

A Charlo man will find out in June how much prison time he will serve for dragging and seriously injuring a police officer with a stolen car in Campbellton late last year.

Lucas Goupil, 36, had earlier pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on a police officer, obstruction and theft of a motor vehicle all dating to Dec. 11, and was in court Tuesday for a sentencing hearing but Judge Nicole Angers said she wanted more time to consider submissions from the defence and the Crown.

Court heard police learned a car had been stolen from Listuguj and that around 9:30 a.m. Goupil showed up at his sister’s house on Tingley Crescent in that car. She called police when she saw he was under the influence of drugs so he left, but RCMP Const. Maxime Lizotte was already in the area and intercepted Goupil.

Goupil at first complied with the officer and stopped, but when Lizotte told him he was under arrest, he gunned the motor and tried to flee, court heard.

Lizotte had been trying to haul Goupil from the car and as the car sped forward, Lizotte’s foot was lodged in the door frame.

Court heard Lizotte was able to free his foot and jump away just before Goupil slammed the car through the concrete foundation of an apartment building.

Lizotte was seriously injured and required emergency surgery on a broken kneecap and tibia – one of two bones in the lower leg – to go with significant injuries to his arm and shoulder, court heard.

Lizotte, who has been on the force for less than two years, has only recently begun to walk and still suffers lingering health issues. He has yet to return to work, with his future in policing still not known, court heard.

Crown attorney Crystal McGraw asked for a five-year prison term. Goupil’s lawyer, Celine Hache, argued her client is a first-time offender with substance abuse issues and noted he pleaded guilty. She asked for a two-year term.

When asked if he wished to make a comment, Goupil appeared to be close to tears in offering his apologies and pledged to stay sober once he is released.

He also pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of theft from the Superstore in Atholville dating to Oct. 10 and Dec. 8, and will be back in court to hear his sentence on all charges.