CAR STOPPED IN SQUARE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29380, 6 December 1960, Page 18

CAR STOPPED IN SQUARE

Police Abused

By Driver

With the radiator boiling and steam gushing out, an old model car with defective headlights was driven around Cathedral square at 9.30 p.m. on October 29. A police patrol car containing two plainclothes constables drew alongside and signalled the car to stop but it did not do so and the siren was used. It eventually stopped outside the Crystal Palace Theatre, said Sergeant T. A. Marson in the Magistrates Court yesterday. Alan Joseph Baldwin, aged 20. single, a timber worker, pleaded guilty to charges of resisting Constable Norris Arnold Galbraith in the execution of his duty, using obscene language in Cathedral square and driving while disqualified. Baldwin, who was represented by Mr R. G. Blunt, was remanded to December 12 for a probation officer’s report and sentence. by Mr A. P. Blair. S.M.

Baldwin’s bail was renewed. One of the constables asked Baldwin for his driver s licence and he used an obscene expression, Sergeant Marson said. Quite a number of persons gathered about the old car and heard the language. Baldwin did not have his driver’s licence and refused to give his name and address. Crowd Gathered

Baldwin questioned the constables’ authority and said: “How do I know you are cops?” One of the constables produced his identification card which Baldwin pushed aside and used more obscene language. He kept repeating: “You have got nothing on me.” Walking away. Baldwin said: “I hope you can run fast enough.” He was then arrested for using obscene language, said Sergeant Marson, As an effort was befhg n ade to put Baldwin in the patrol car he pushed the constable aside and resisted violently. A civilian came to the aid of police and he was put in the police car and was taken to the Central Police Station where he was put in the cells. Baldwin had had some liquor but was not drunk.

It was later found that Baldwin had appeared before the Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch on March 25 on a driving charge and subsequently his driver’s licence had been cancelled for two years. He had a previous criminal history, said Sergeant Marson. Mr Blunt said that when Baldwin was first asked for the warrant of fitness he produced it.