MOTOR LORRY DRIVER FINED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3030, 1 May 1926, Page 3

MOTOR LORRY DRIVER FINED.

INTOXICATED WHILE IN CHARGE OF VEHICLE.

Edward Lyon, single, aged 23, of Rongotea, was charged at the local Courthouse yesterday before Messrs. J. K. Hornblow and D. R. Ogilvv, J’s.P. with being in charge of a motor lorry while in a stats of intoxication. Constable Owen stated that at about 7.15 p.m. on Thursday he was in his Courthouse and heard a crash. On going outside to investigate wtiness saw accused’s lorry half on the footpath and half off, and head on to a telegraph pole at the corner of Main St. and Avenue Road. Accused who was in charge of (lie vehicle was considerably intoxicated and was arrested, later being released on bail. The street light was not: burning at the time aiut the road ivas wet. The lorry had evidently mounted the pavement at a culvert and run along until it collided with the first telegraph pole. Accused was too inebriated to have charge of the vehicle. Asked if he had anything to say, accused said his trouble was due to drink. He asked that a prohibition order be taken out against him. He supported his widowed mother and four children. The Bench pointed out the seriousness of the offence and said a man driving a motor vehicle for a living had to be strictly sober. Accused on his own admission admitted taking drink periodically while holding, a driver’s license. They would not cancel accused’s driver’s license as it would be omposing a hardship. Accused was convicted and fined £5 and an immediate prohibition order to be issued.

Accused made application to have his name suppressed, but the Bench refused to do this., stating that it was part of the punishment.