Gaol For Driving Under Influence Of Liquor

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27442, 31 August 1954, Page 8

Gaol For Driving Under Influence Of Liquor

John Timothy’Sullivan, aged 29, a sawmiller, pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday to a charge that on August 29 while under the influence of liquor he drove a car in Tuam street. He was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment with hard labour, and he was disqualified from holding a driver’s licence for one year. Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., was on the bench. For having no driver’s licence he was convicted and fined £1? Sub-Inspector J. C. Fletcher said that at 12.30 a.m. on Sunday the police were called to an accident-at the intersection of Manchester and Tuam streets. A car driven by accused had collided with a cyclist. -It was obvious Sullivan had. had too much liquor and he was arrested. Dr. F. L. Scott certified him as unfit to drive. Richard Albert Cornwell, a storeman, aged 24, was sentenced to imprisonment with hard' labour for seven days when he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a motor vehicle on Ferry road while under the influence of drink. His driving licence was cancelled and he was disqualified from obtaining another for 12 months. On a further charge of driving a car which had no warrant of fitness he was fined 10s. Sub-Inspector J. C. Fletcher said that at 8.25 p.m. on August 28 police in a patrol car saw the defendant’s vehicle weaving about oh Ferry road. Cornwell was taken to the police station where Dr. Scott certified him as unfit to drive. THEFT OF MONEY ‘T am taking into consideration that you have not been in trouble before and that this was not a planned or premeditated offence,” said the Magistrate, when James Stevens, aged 36, 'a shearer, pleaded guilty to a charge that on August 28 he stole £lO in money, the property of Ernest Albert McGeorge. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within 12 months if called upon, conditional upon his taking out a prohibition order, that he leave off drinking for the whole of this time and that he go back to work. Sub-Inspector J. C. Fletcher described the theft as a “get rich scheme.” On the afternoon of August 28 accused was in a Christchurch hotel when he got into conversation with McGeorge. Accused in some way induced McGeorge to show him two £5 notes “which proves the old adage that some persops are quickly parted from their money.”. Accused grabbed the money out of complainant’s hand and made off, but he was apprehended outside the hotel by McGeorge.

Stevens said he had no intention ol taking the money. McGeorge had asked him if he could get some money on the Ranfurly Shield match and he had taken the money McGeorge had offered' and went off to see if he could place it. He had just got outside the door when McGeorge reached out and grabbed him by the throat. Both were three parts under the influence of liquor at the time. SUSPENDED SENTENCE Leslie George Philpott a labourer, pleaded guilty to a charge of being idle and disorderly in that he had insufficient lawful means of support. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within 12 months if called upon. Sub-Inspector J. C. Fletcher said the defendant had been seen on several occasions about the city and he did not appear to be working. On August 27 he was arrested. He told the police he had been sleeping out in Hagley Park and had expected to be interviewed by the police. He had £1 12s in his pocket. IMPRISONMENT FOR THEFT John William Aubrey Simpson, a farm hand, of Hawarden, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour when he appeared for sentence oh a charge of stealing two shirts, valued at £3, the property of John Henry Taylor. • “This is a mean theft," said the Magistrate. “You stole from a man who had befriended you at a time when you needed help. There is very little to encourage the Court to grant probation. With a term of imprisonment you will take full responsibility for your offence.” INFORMATION DISMISSED . A char K e of assault, laid against John Henry Brydon, a factory hand, aged 51 (Mr B. J. Drake), was dismissed. Evidence was given by Raymond Henry Purtle, the complainant, that he had gone io Brydon’s home in Springfield road to see his wife. A fight broke out, Purtle was injured about the face, and he was thrown out of _ the house. Purtle telephoned the police, returned to Brydon’s home, and was thrown out again. Brydon said he arrived home about 9 pjn. to hear raised voices. He went into the house, saw Purtle, who rushed at him with his arms flailing. Brydon said he had to defend himself.

Sub-Inspector J. C. Fletcher said the police had arrested Brydon because they considered Purtie’s injuries were out of proportion to the offence. When Purtle entered the house he was in an aggressive and excited mood, said the Magistrate. “I have no doubt he was a man who had to be dealt with firmly.”