Magistrate’s Court INTOXICATED DRIVER SENTENCED TO GAOL

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28260, 24 April 1957, Page 19

Magistrate’s Court INTOXICATED DRIVER SENTENCED TO GAOL

A young man, who drove his car against a power pole and then into a parked car, pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday to a charge that he drove a motor-car in Hastings street on April 22 while he was under the influence of drink. He was Stanley John Benbow, aged 20, a truck driver. Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., sentenced Benbow to seven days’ imprisonment, cancelled his

driver’s licence and disqualified him from obtaining one for 18 months.

Inspector J. C. Fletcher, who i prosecuted, • said that Benbow was 1 driving a car east along Brougham ! street at 8.5 p.m. on April 22 and j at the intersection of Gasson , street, he hit a power pole. He < went on and struck a parked car. ; A constable heard the noise of ' the first impact and followed the j car. He found it in Hastings street < and Benbow was slumped over the ; driving wheel. Benbow was taken ; to the police station, examined : and found to be under the influ- : ence of drink. He said he had had : 12 beers between 5.30 p.m. and 6 ■ p.m. REMANDED Sydney John Ball, aged 54. a ; workman, was remanded to April 29 on charges of stealing a bicycle, valued at £lO, the property of John Free and stealing a bicycle, valued at £l2, the property of a person unknown. William James Henderson, aged 40, a workman, was remanded to April 29 on a charge that on April 22 he stole a prayer book, valued at 10s, the property of Richard Craig. Samuel Thomas Henry Hodge, aged 47, a welder (Mr A. K. Archer), was remanded on bail to April 29 on a charge that on April 20 he drove a car on Riccarton road while under the influence of drink. PROTEST BY ACCUSED Donald Courtenay Smith, aged 40, appeared on a charge that on April 17 he was deemed to be i idle and disorderly in that he had : insufficient lawful means of support. Inspector J. C. Fletcher said that Smith had appeared on the charge i a few days ago but the police i wanted a further remand as a file had not come from Wellington. “I’m not idle and disorderly. I have money,” said Smith. “I have £1 I didn’t know I had and I have £9 in the Post Office. I’m not wanted by anyone. I came from Australia six months ago and I’m going Inspector Fletcher said there were other matters to be inquired 1 into. The Court might grant a re- > mand until Friday. “In a case of this kind you must j go on with it on Friday,” said the ■ Magistrate. ’ When asked if he could find a 1 surety, Smith said he had no friends here to go surety for him. He was remanded to Friday and ; allowed bail of £25 with one ’ surety of £25 on condition that he . reports daily to the police.