YOUNG MAN FINED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 255, 8 January 1941, Page 5

YOUNG MAN FINED

DRUNK IN CHARGE

INCIDENT ON TANEAXUA ROAD

"When you get drinking in future don't start driving a ear,/* was the admonition from the bench to William Marshall, a young man aged 20 years who appeared in the Whnkatane Court yesterday before Messrs G. A. Brabant and J. G. Mulholland, .jj.P.'s, on a charge of being drunk while in charge of a motor vehicle.

Sergeant Farrell who prosecuted, said that in answer to a telephone call complaining of the behaviour of certain young men on the Taneatua Road, he had proceeded to the spot and saw accused sitting behind the wheel- of the truck. He was obviously intoxicated and when be saw the police he made an effort to start the engine. He was arrested and later examined by a doctor who certified him as not being in a fit state to drive. Accused was already on probation in connection with a previous charge of unlawful conversion, but the present instance could not be regarded as serious as he was not actually driving the vehicle.

In answer to the bench Marshall said he was employed as a hospital porter at a salary of £3 10s per we«k and found.

Commenting that the maximum fine could be £100 or alternatively three months' imprisonment, the bench fixed the penalty at £10, plus 1 the medical fee of £1 Is.