ARRESTED IN COURT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 30, 5 February 1931, Page 7

ARRESTED IN COURT

A SEMI-DRUNKEN WITNESS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, 4th February. ■, ■ There was an unusual scene in the Blonheim Magistrate's Court when one of the parties to a maintenance case appeared in a semi-intoxicated condition and was ordered by the Magistrate, Mr. Maunsell, to be taken into custody. His name is Eoderick Barclay, and he applied for a, variation of a maintenance order for &1 10s a week in his wife's favour. The applicant was placed in the box, and proceeded to give evidence in a rambling fashion, which induced his counsel to ask leave to retire from the case on the grounds that his client was not in a fit condition to give evidence. The Magistrate said he quite agreed and refused to make an order. . Subsequently he called defendant before him and asked him if he could give any reasons why he should not be committed for contempt of Court in appearing before him in a semi-intoxicated condition. The defendant expressed regret and counsel explained that he^ived in the-country far away from hotels and had possibly been "overcome by the. sudden temptation of Blenheim's strong waters." The Magistrate ordered Barclay to be taken into custody until the rising of the •■' Court. Later, when he was brought before the Magistrate, he pleaded that war injuries had left their mark oh him, and when excited he was easily overcome by drink. Ho had had two brandies only. ■ The Magistrate accepted the explanation and dismissed the case. ■