RECKLESS DRIVER

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1931, Page 8

RECKLESS DRIVER

INTOXICATED IN CAR.

GAOL WITH HARD LABOUR. WELLINGTON, July 21. A sentence o'! two inontns Uuru labour was imposed on Tnornas <J. h ii'tu a grocer, aged twenty-one, by -Mr it. L-gae, a.ai., at the AiagisU'iue's Court ior oemg intoxicated while m cuarge of a motor-car on Tnorndo u Quay. On a, charge of reckless driving and another of not having a driver’s license no was convicted anti discharged. firth had previously been convicted in Christchurch.

Sub-Inspector Lopdell said that the accused appeared to have been to the races on Saturday. However, he was seen in the Trentliam district. The car came under the notice of an inspector, who said that the accused’s car passed through Taita at about fifty miles per hour, cutting in and passing all other cars. He was later caught after pursuit, and when the constable saw lum at 6.45 p.m. he considered lie was intoxicated. He did not seem to realise the seriousness of his position until be was locked up. He was seen by his solicitor at 7.30 p.m., when lie had sobered up considerably. “This lad is twenty years of age and has a list of offences dating since 1!)2(5” (jontinued the SubMiispector. ‘ln r 9.30 he wits charged with dangerous driving at Christchurch and failing to observe a traffic officer’s signal. The accused was fined £ll for that escapade. It is suggested to me that a, monetary penalty will not affect him at all. He has no sense of fear or caution and there is no restraint to his drinking. Under these circumstances he is a danger to himself as well as to others,” said Su b-Inspector Lopdel 1. Air AVii'en, who appeared for the accused, said he had had six motorcars and five mot' l r-cyclos in succession That day was his twenty-first hirtmlav and when he became twenty-five he would come into about £5003 which his mother had left him. His adopted father had died a short time ago. “This defendant has a list df six convictions for dangerous driving, several for negligent driving and failing to obey traffic and one other for being intoxicated in charge of a motor ear,” said Mr Pago. “He appears to have flouted the order of the Court, because when he was arrested lie was driving without a license. Tt seems to in» he is a young man who is unfit to drive a car at all.”