Renata Ford, the widow of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, was handed a suspended sentence, fined $1,100 and given a two-year driving ban in a Toronto court on Wednesday after pleading guilty on an impaired-driving charge dating back to 2016.
Ford was arrested and charged two years ago after police were called to a shopping plaza in Etobicoke and found her inside a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit.
In addition to the fine and driving ban, Justice Ted Kelly said Ford must complete 100 hours of community service within 18 months, attend a program for drinking-and-driving offenders and continue to undergo counselling.
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She must also have an interlock device installed on any vehicle she owns and cannot be in a vehicle with alcohol in her system for three years.
Earlier this month, Ford’s widow filed a $16-million lawsuit against Rob’s brothers, Ontario premier-designate Doug Ford and Randy Ford, alleging breach of trust as it relates to the management of her husband’s estate. Those allegations have not been proven in court.
Rob Ford, who had two children, died on March 22, 2016, after a battle with a rare form of cancer.
READ MORE: Doug Ford, brother named in $16M lawsuit by widow over Rob Ford’s estate
Renata Ford was previously convicted of impaired driving on two other occasions.
The Crown told the court on Wednesday it was seeking a 45-day jail sentence, while Ford’s lawyer said the defence asked for a fine and a driving ban.
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Joseph Neuberger, a Toronto criminal lawyer who is not connected to the case, described Ford’s sentence as fairly lenient.
Neuberger said the judge likely considered her personal circumstances, and the fact that she has received counselling and done community service.
“Rather than putting her in jail, the idea is to eliminate … or curb her ability to drive a vehicle in a dangerous manner involving alcohol and give her more opportunity to give back to the community,” he told Kelly Cutrara on Global News Radio 640 Toronto on Wednesday.
LISTEN: 640 Toronto legal analyst Joseph Neuberger weighs in on Renata Ford’s sentence
With a file from Kerri Breen