Giving a woman who drove her boyfriend into a ditch as they broke up a discharge would send the wrong message, a prosecutor told a judge Tuesday.

Katie Bouchard asked provincial court judge Stephen Harrison to sentence Tanya Eaton to a 30-day conditional sentence and eight months probation. As well, the woman should be banned from driving for 18 months.

The defence asked for a conditional discharge, a sentence that would leave the woman without a criminal record.

Eaton, 35, was convicted of dangerous driving and uttering threats. She was charged after an accident on the Paul Lake Road last year after she lost control of the car, crossed the highway and struck a utility pole.

In the passenger seat of the car was the woman’s boyfriend, who had shortly before ended their relationship. It seems the woman was intent on getting the man’s attention, Bouchard said, and threatened she was going to drive them into the ditch. She sped up, then lost control.

“She was hurt when he ended the relationship,” said Bouchard. “It was a very dangerous type of situation, when emotions are soaring and passions flare. It can result in violence.”

Defence lawyer Michelle Stanford said the moment was an out-of-character act for her client, who has no other criminal record.

If granted a discharge, the woman would not have a criminal record once she’s completed the terms of a probation order. Stanford said a criminal record could hinder Eaton’s employment.

“The incident arose out of a peak of emotion, out of frustration, arising from him ignoring her,” Stanford said.

“She acted to cause fear and anxiety,” noted Judge Harrison.

The judge reserved his decision on Eaton’s sentence until Thursday.