DRUNK IN CHARGE OF CAR

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4426, 13 March 1930, Page 2

DRUNK IN CHARGE OF CAR

LOCAL MOTORIST PINED £lO AND HAS LICENSE CANCELLED.

Al the local Police Court this morning, Percy Herbert Hickey was charged by the Police (hat on January Ififh, 1930, al Poxton, he was in a slate of intoxication while in charge of a motor car on the Poxton racecourse. Hickey was also charged that on the same date he drove a motor-ear on the racecourse without being the holder of a driver’s license.

Mr. TT. C’oopm 1 appeared for accused and entered pleas of guilty lo both charges. In doing so cutni-.-ol said his client had failed to obtain a driver’s license owing to the year being so well advnneed. Tn regard lo Ihe more serious charge he pleaded leniency. TTiekey had been up all night for two nights owing to the races and al 2 o’clock on (lie second day he went up to the course. He saw the principal event, had one investment, which won. a couple of drinks and returned to his ear to go home. lie had some diflicully in getting Ihe vehicle out owing to oilier ears parked nearby and when a constable approached him and accused him of drunkenness he did not argue hul said “all right, drive the ear yourself.” The constable removed the ear and Hickey gave no trouble whatever. Accused possessed a good character and the case was not a had one.

(Constable Owen said the facts were as slated. Hickey was nal in a 111 stale to_ drive the ear, but he was not so drunk that he would have been arrested had he been walking a long I lie si reel.

The S.M. said that it had been ruled on many occasions that it was not necessary for a man lo he hopelessly drunk before being arresled for the driving n vehicle under the influence of Ibpior. Tt was unite sufficient if he was drunk enough to mishandle the ear. TTie'key had given no trouble and he would take a lenient view of the case on account of flint. Tie would lie convicted and lined £lO on lhe lirsl charge and 10/- on the second and his license suspended lor six months from date of conviction Id show the seriousness of the ease. •Costs amounted lo ,C2 A/- and 10 - were-imposed.