GAOL IN FUTURE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 36, 11 August 1936, Page 11

GAOL IN FUTURE

DRUNKEN DRIVERS

MAGISTRATE'S WARNING

"Much as I dislike sending people to .gaol, I want to give the public a warning, and I trust the newspapers will assist me, that in future cases such as this, I shall impose a term of imprisonment without the option of a fine," said Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today, when imposing a fine of £25 with costs and cancelling for twelve months the driving licence of Claude Duval Victor Grant, sales manager, aged 45, who pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in charge of a car yesterday. Mr. Mosley said that such offences were too frequent and they had to stop. The public were entitled to be protected from an intoxicated man in charge of a dangerous machine. The Court would-be remiss if it did not give the public the protection to'which they were justly entitled. ;

Sub-Inspector C. E. Eoach said that at 10.30 p.m. yesterday a man who was driving along Wakefield Street towards Taranaki Street saw a car make a sweep out of Taranaki Street and right over to the wrong side of the road. The car struck him a glancing blow, missed another car, which had to pull into the kerb, arid crossed the road again, finishing up against an electric light post. The first car driver went across the road and when he opened the door of the defendant's car the defendant, was so drunk that he nearly .fell out. A constable who arrived from Taranaki Street station found the defendant swaying by the side of his car. The constable was of opinion; that'the defendant ; was in a sufficient state of intoxication to be locked up. In the back of the defendant's car there was another man who was drunk, and a third intoxicated man was standing near the rear of the car. .Mr. G. R. Powleg who appeared for the ''defendant;' said that this was a most unfortunate case, in that the defendant had driven-regularly for 20 years and had. never, been before the Court for any reason.: The defendant was a radio salesman, and when he was engaged on his business last night he was asked to, have something to drink. He was a married man with four children, three being dependent upon him. Mr/Pqwles made a special plea; for leniency.-"-

The defendant was given a month in which to pay the fine of £25, in default of 'payment, distress to be levied, and in default of distress, two months' imprisonment to be served.