COSTLY RIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 227, 24 September 1937, Page 8

COSTLY RIDE.

IN CONVERTED CAR.

TWO MEN TO PAY DAMAGE

FINES AUSO IMPOSED.

An unauthorised ride in a motor car on Saturday last proved a costly matter for two young men who came before Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., in the Police Court this morning. A charge of unlawfully converting to their own use a motor car valued at £344, the property of William Reginald Taylor, was brought against Robert Jeremiah Cieighton (22). and Richard Godfrey Copley (23), while Copley was further charged with being in a state of intoxication while in charge of the same car in King's Drive on September 18. Both accused, for whom Mr. M. Robinson appeared, pleaded guilty. Detective Sergeant McHugli said Mr. Taylor's car was taken from Hoheon Street early on Saturday night. At midnight the same night Detectives A. Gillum and F. X. Quinn, of the police night patrq], found the two men in the car on King's Drive near the Parnell baths. Copley, who was sitting behind the wheel, was drunk. "Their explanation was that they were asked by an unkuown man to drive the car and leave it outside the Pig and Whistle at Kohimarama," added Mr. McHugh. "The car was damaged to the extent of about £40." On Copley's behalf, Mr. Robinson said he was a married man with one child, and on Saturday last, being under the influence of liquor, he was really not responsible for his actions. Creighton, who was under the influence of liquor I when he first joined the other man in the ear, thought it was quite in order to go with Copley. A Serious Matter. Mr. Orr Walker: t assume that they would not have taken the ca- if they had not been under the influence of liquor. They were probably enjoying themselves and thought they would go for a ride in the car. This is' a serious matter, for the car might have injured someone. Copley wae fined £20 and costs for being intoxicated while in charge of the car. and on the conversion charge each accused was lined &S. The magistrate ordered each to pay £17 10/ towards the amount of the damage. Copley was prohibited from holding a driver's license for a period of two years.