Fined Before Case Finisher

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 311, 17 December 1936, Page 3 (Supplement)

Fined Before Case Finisher

SOLICITOR AND DEFENDANT PROTEST Protests that fines were imposed be fore a ease had finished were made'by a solicitor and a defendant at Manchestei City Police Court recently.

James Cotterill, of Edward street Higher Openshaw, Manchester, tram driver, was summoned for driving a tramcar dangerously, and Arthur Syd ney Rawlings, of Westinghouse rond Old Trafford, Manchester, was sum moned for driving a mOtor-lorry withou reasonable consideration.

The prosecution arose out. of a col lision between the tram and the lorry. A witness stated that he saw tht vehicles approaching a narrow part 01 the road. Both drivers were going eau tiously, but collided. He thought that both drivers had Committed an error of judgment. The chairman (Sir J. Mathewson Watson): An error of judgment—ten shillings each. Cotterill: Excuse me, sir, but I protest. I have not had a say at all. Mr F. E. Monks, representing Rawlings, protested that he had not been given the opportunity to call anybody. The chairman: Go ahead.

Mr Monks: I refuse to go ahead in these circumstances. 1 had that posi tion once before. Cotterill was asked if he wanted call evidence or say anything.

Both Cotterill and his witnesses stated that the tram had stopped beforthe accident happened.

The chairman: We adhere to our de cision. Ten shillings each and 2s (id each costs.