INTOXICATED IN CAR

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1931, Page 2

INTOXICATED IN CAR

STRONG 'COMAvKNT .IN CASK AT , TIMARU. TIMAKU, June 22. “A possible murderer, who only by good fortune escapes killing someone!" This castigating comment on intoxicated motorists, more especially those who drive in a drunken condition at night, nas passed by Air C. R, Orr Walker, S.M., at the '.Magistrate’s Court to-day in lining William Joseph Sullivan, aged thirty-eight, a labourer, of Woodlands Road, £zs and cancelling his license for three years on a charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor-

"1 take a very serious view of these cases, with a view to deterring oth rs, but the sentences so far imposed hav not had this effect. I do not propose to imprison defendant but the fin must bo substantial and '} am going to deprive defendant of his right to driv on the public roads and be a dangei to the public for a considerable period,’' commented the Magistrate. Defendant’s brother, a first offender, was final life amount of His bad, Ids, for driutkenhess.

Sfiiiidf-S'ergikiiit luatliuson, prosecut irig, stated that Constable O’Conuoi found defendant’s Car in Grey Road about 7 poll, oil .Saturday after a collision. Defendant had proceeded aerogt from North Street into Grey Road, cutting the corner, and collided with a car driven by Mr j. L. Baxter. He left the car after the accident and was arrested later in North Street. His brother was found drunk in the car. At Ur police station, Dr C. A. Paterson, examined Sullivan and stated that in hi: opinion, Sulivan was intoxicated and not fit to drive a car. Defendant had attributed his trouble to the fact of his having celebrated a win at the races. He had £23 in his possession when arrested and was bailed out in the sum of £2O.

Mr L. M. Inglis, who entered a plea of guilty oil defendants' bthalf, said that Fitzgerald had been a driver for twelve or thirteen years, and had never been in an accident. Neither had he ever been charged with drunkenness. 'He had sold his farm and had a few pounds in his pocket and went to the races with a view to increasing it.

The Magistrate ; He took a chance of losing it. Continuing, Air Inglis sa'cl that even though defendant had £23 and some cheques in his possession when arrested, he owed all he had and more. He had now no occupation and the car was a Ford, bought second-hand six years ago. It was worth nothing. He had been on his way to the police station to report the accident when arrested.