Six Weeks’ Gaol For New Plymouth Pensioner

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29748, 15 February 1962, Page 14

Six Weeks’ Gaol For New Plymouth Pensioner

(New Zealand Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 14. Raymond Strong, a New Plymouth pensioner, had been convicted at least five times in the lost two years of driving a motor car while disqualified, Senior-Sergeant B. G. Waller told Mr A. W. Yortt, S.M.. in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court today. Strong, who was arrested today on a bench warrant, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified on December 22 at Mokau and operating a motor vehicle which did not have a warrant of fitness.

He was sentenced to six weeks gaol, his period of disqualification was extended for a further two years on the driving charge and he was fined two pounds on the other charge. Car Overturned

Senior-Sergeant Waller said that at 1.55 p.m. on December 22, Strong was driving along the Te Kuiti highway when his car overturned and threw its occupants—Strong and a woman —on to the roadway. When interviewed later in New Plymouth, Strong claimed there was another man in the car. He was summoned to appear in the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court on January 22 but when he did not arrive a bench warrant for his arrest was issued.

Mr R. Gilbert, for Strong, said the defendant was under the misapprehension he was allowed to drive providing he had a licensed driver with him.

Looking at Strong’s conviction card, Mr Yortt said that the defendant was first charged in 1916 with furious driving. He was charged

the following year with the same offence. Mr Yortt read out other convictions in 1927, 1930, 1937, and 1955 against Strong. “Not Safe”

‘‘You are not safe on the road. Your latest accident proves you are incapable,” the Magistrate said. “You know the position well but you will -persist in driving and having accidents. “You are in no position to pay a fine and have already had periods in gaol. I don't want to send you to gaol but I can’t see what else I can do,” he said.

Strong said: “Don’t send me to gaol, sir, I’m getting old and this time might mean the end.” Mr Yortt: You have said that twice before and have survived prison terms. Strong: I could get rid of my car.

Mr Yortt: I made an order for you to get rid of your car but you kept it for two years after that despite die efforts of the probation officer.

Strong said he was 66 years old.