PRISON SENTENCE FOR DRUNKEN DRIVER

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26465, 5 July 1951, Page 8

PRISON SENTENCE FOR DRUNKEN DRIVER

(From Our Own Reporter) J J . TIMARU, July 4. The defendant had a previous conviction for drunkenness said the Magistrate (Mr E. A. Lee, S.M.) in the Magistrate’s Court at Timaru this morning when he sentenced John Ash well Root, aged 21, a labourer, of Timaru, to seven days’ imprisonment with hard labour on a charge of being intoxicated in charge of a motor vehicle in Timaru on July 3. Root pleaded not guilty to the charge and conducted his own defence.

Defendant's driving licence was cancelled and he was prohibited from obtaining one for 18 months. Dr. S. P. Abraham said that when he examined the defendant at 9.2 p.m. he judged him to be in a fit state to drive.

Constable M. C. Eathorne said that after a complaint had been made a look-out was kept for the car and he stopped it in Stafford street about 8.30 p.m. Defendant smelt strongly of liquor and was abusive to him and Constable W. T. Green. From defendant’s manner of driving as well as his physical condition he thought him to be unfit to drive.

To Sergeant F. G. Heywood defendant admitted having had about four or five beers during the afternoon and a bottle of beer soon after 6 p.m.