DRUNKEN DRIVING CONVICTION

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29070, 5 December 1959, Page 18

DRUNKEN DRIVING CONVICTION

Man Acquitted After Rehearing (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 3. A young man who had previously pleaded guilty in the Lower Hutt Magistrate’s Court to a charge of driving while under the influence of liquor, was acquitted today after a rehearing of the case before Mr J. S. Hanna, S.M., in _the Wellington Magistrate’s Court. On the previous occasion, the defendant, Carl Marris, aged 22. a fitter, was fined £5O and his licence was suspended for three years.

Today evidence was called to show that Marris, who claimed only a vague recollection of the events, including his appearance in Court a few hours after the accident, had received a blow which aggravated a previous head injury. This, it was said, had contributed to his appearing to be drunk, though he was not. Dismissing the charge, the Magistrate said that, like the doctor, he found it extremely difficult to say whether Marris was drunk or not. He had the appearance of being drunk, but that could have been caused by the effect of the injuries. In the circumstances Marris was entitled to the benefit of the doubt. “But it must be clear to you that, in view of the accident, you should not drink at all.” the Magistrate said to the defendant. Senior-Sergeant J. R. Williamson said that the accident occurred in Knights road. Lower Hutt, at 12.15 a.m. on November 20. when the defendant’s car struck a parked car.