INTOXICATED IN CHARGE

Evening Star, Issue 23379, 23 September 1939, Page 12

INTOXICATED IN CHARGE

COMPANY MANAGER BEFORE COURT HOLDER OF LEGION OF HONOUR William Ernest Trott, a company manager, aged 43 years, who bad given long and honourable service in the last war, pleaded guilty to having been intoxicated in charge of a motor car in Forbury road. He was fined £25 and his license suspended. Mr J. G. Warrington appeared on behalf of the do- . fendant. , Senior-sergeant Claasen said that at ■8.15 last night Traffic Inspecto'r'Arthur, while driving the patrol car along Cargill road, noticed another car weaving its way along the road. The inspector gave chase, and after narrowly, escaping being forced into an excavation in Surrey street, hrongbt the defendant’s car to a standstill against the kerb. Trott was then seen to be substantially intoxicated, and Dr Evans had certified to this at the police; station. Defendant had also been examined, by. Dr Reid; Trott, said the senior sergeant, occupied a good position in town, and nothing was. known against him previously; , Mr Warrington said that-the defendant, who was a married man with three children, had undoubtedly been under the influence of liquor at the time, but there had actually been no accident, Trott, said counsel, was averse to having his military service in the last war mentioned, but it was only fair to state that he had gone away at the age pf 19 and served for five years, gaining the French Legion of Honour, and that for • the past two years he had been practically living on his nerves owing to high pressure of a business which necessitated his covering wide areas of country. Counsel admitted that all -this was no excuse for the present offence, but bo urged as much leniency as possible oa behalf of the defendant because of hia previous clean record, his state of health, and the fact that a car was entirely*necessary to his livelihood. The magistrate ,’(Mr J. R, Bartholomew) said that, while giving all consideration to counsel’s plea, it must be stressed that this offence was a serious one, and a suspension of license must follow. Defendant would “be fined £25, with medical expenses,(£l Is), and his license suspended for 12 months, leave being given to apply for reinstatement at the expiration of six months.