CAPTURE OF MOTORIST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2656, 8 November 1923, Page 1

CAPTURE OF MOTORIST.

CONSTABLE’S RESOURCE. WILD RIDE ON BONNET. A police constable’s perilous ride of more than five miles on the bonnet of a motor ear was described at Mary lob one Police Court, London, a few weeks ago. Robert. Thomas, aged 21, a merchant. dealer, was charged with being drunk while in charge of a motor car, driving in a manner dangerous to the public, resisting Police Constable Donald Fish in the execution of his duty and driving without a license.

The accused man, having failed o surrender to his bail, was arresed on a warrant.

Mr McClure prosecuted for the Commissioner of Police; Mr Charles Victor Hill, solicitor, defended. Police Constable Fish said that at. 9.55 p.m. on August 19 he saw Thomas standing by the side of the car in Harrow Road, and having ascertained from him that his brother was driving the car he agreed to await the brother’s return. Five minutes elapsed, when Thomas jumped into Hie ear and started the engine. Witness jumped on lo the running board and called upon the accused man to get out; but he took off the brakes, put. on the accelerator, and drove off at a speed of 12 to 15 miles' an hour. Witness blew bis whistle to at-

tract attention, but Thomas proceeded and threatened, as they up preached a traineer, to smash him if he did not get off the car. Fearing that he would be knocked off. witness climbed for safety on to the bonnet, and continued to blow bis whistle until Thomas thrust his hand through the wind screen and snatched it from his mouth. Shortly afterwards he leaned through the window and snatched the whistle from Thomas’ hand and continued to blow it.

Mr McClure: How were you holding on? The Constable: With my legs astrifle the bonnet of the car and holding on to tlif" wind screen with both hands; but the prisoner was banging at my bands with bis tist and I had to keep releasing my hold. The Magistrate: The ear was going the whole time?

Witness said that was so. Another ear was following with another constable on the foot board, continued Constable Fish and for a time they raced side by side, al‘mosl touching one another; but on reaching St. John’s Wood Road the other ear “cut” in front of the prisoner’s and thus brought it to a stop. Later on the witness said lie measured the distance they had covered and found it was five and eight-tenths miles. The Magistrate: You said some-

thing about knocking you off the car. Constable Fish: Yes, in Harrow Road . As we were passing a tramcar be said: “I will smash you up if you don’t get off and he swayed to the near side of the tram. Anticipating the move, I climbed on to the bonnet and the tram missed me by a few inches. Witness added that he could hardly stand when he alighted from the bonnet, but with the assistance of the constable on the pursuing ear lie arrested prisoner, who was drunk.

Dr. Greenwood, divisional surgeon. said Thomas was not absolutely drunk Iml ho had hoou drinking, ami was suffering from the elleots of atC.liol, and was (|iiilo unlit to drive ~ ~; ir In fairness to prisoner, however. he added that ho was -"iTerum frioa a disease of the heart, and a tittle aleohol would ino.rea,e the blood l►restore and lessen mnitro! The Magistrate: Wo have heard ftu,t 1,,-' drove for alnmt five miles ~i lh „ const a hie on the bonnet Iryto eel rid of him and dome at! .-oi’tr- of thing's, hut lie had no eol li.-ion. . ... “Thai was rather lm-ky, said dm doelor. “I think the voi'v imo <• his having a living maseot of a !“ ' lineman on his lumnet l.ard y Jetties his being in a condition to dr • A remand was ordered, hail tn (200 being allowed.