LOOKED MORE SOBER WHEN HE WAS DRUNK

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 123, 15 August 1927, Page 9

LOOKED MORE SOBER WHEN HE WAS DRUNK

FALSE PRETENCES CHARGE Press Association. . DUNEDIN, Sunday. “THAT is a strange thing — l am more sober-looking when drunk than I am when sober. I cannot understand it myself,” said Percy Edward Whittall in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Whittall pleaded guilty to a charge of having obtained credit by fraud to the extent of £2, from James Bayly. Chief-Detective Cameron said accused became involved in Oamaru in negotiations for the purchase of a motor-car and gave a valueless cheque in the process, but the car was net delivered. He was, however, driven about a lot and was brought to Dunedin in the car, which, he made out, he contemplated purchasing. It was on the question of costs incurred in connection with this drive that the present charge was laid. I-Ie might have been charged with false pretences, but the police in the northern district decided not to proceed. Accused said he was intoxicated at the time of the offence, although he was not really a drinker. Occasionally when his nerves “went back” upon him, he took a few whiskies, and then lost control of himself. The chief detective said inquiries in Oamaru had failed to bring evidence that accused was drunk at the time, or that he showed any signs of liquor. The magistrate, Mr. J. R. Bartholomew, said he would give accused a chance. He would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. There did not seem to be any necessity for accused to be prohibited.