Magistrate’s Court DRIVER FOR TRIAL ON THREE CHARGES

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29908, 23 August 1962, Page 18

Magistrate’s Court DRIVER FOR TRIAL ON THREE CHARGES

Lionel Edward Dobson, aged 52, a clerk, was yesterday committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court in Christchurch on charges of negligent driving causing the death of Charles Mains in Moorhouse avenue on May 4. failing to stop after an accident, and failing to ascertain if a person had been injured. The preliminary hearing in the Magistrate’s Court was before Messrs R. H. Harris and L. C. Fulford. Justices of the Peace.

Dobson was represented by Mr L. H. Moore and pleaded not guilty to the three charges after depositions had been taken.

Senior Sergeant G. M Cleary prosecuted. David William Stribling, a storeman. said about 6.23 p.m on May 4 he was driving in a line of traffic west along Moorhouse avenue when he saw a man thrown to one side by the car in front. The driver accelerated away from the accident at a speed of about 40 miles an hour, the witness said.

Glcnys Marie Taylor, a typist, said she saw the car strike an elderly man on the pedestrian crossing near the railway station. There was a very loud noise. Constable W. R. Woolman said the accused had called at the motor accident office cn May 5 and told him that he might be able to assist the police in their inquiries The accused told the witness that he had been in two ho'els the previous day. After getting into his car he could remember no more, other than being in his car amongst traffic. The accused said he later found himsetf parked under some trees in Grahams road. The accused said that the next day he noticed a headlamp on his car was broken and mirjor damage done to the left front guard. He said he was concerned in case it had been he who was involved in the - accident. Dr. Peter James Gormly said that Mains was admitted to Christchurch Hospital on May 4 suffering from a laceration of the forehead and a fractured left leg. He made good progress under treatment but died unexpectedly on May 20.

Dr. P. A. E. Smith, a pathologist. said he considered that death had resulted from clotting of blood in the veins of the leg. “I think the accident caused his death.” In committing Dobson for trial the Justices granted him bail.

(Before Mr H. Rosen, S.M.) POSSESSED FIREARM

For possessing a firearm without lawful, proper, ot sufficient purpose on July 30. Imre Fulop, aged 26, a sheet metal worker, was convicted and fined £5 and ordered to forfeit the rifle. Fulop pleaded not guiltv. Allan McKinley Duthie. a storeman. said he saw a small, pre-war English car parked near the intersection of Buckley’s road and Butterfield avenue There was a rifle protruding from the drivers window which was moving up and down as though it was being sighted. Duthie got 100 yards past the car and he heard a rifle being fired fie did not see the face of the person sitting in the car Norman Rodgers, an assistant engineer for the Christchurch Drainage Board, said he was on night shift at the sewage plant when he heard a loud crack at 230 a m After a search a small hole, apparently made by a bullet, was found in a plate glass window

Constable G Dy ens said he went to the sewage plant at Bromley and searched the area As a result of a furi ther complaint he then looked for an early model Hillman car and found it in Pages road near the Cowles Stadium. A loaded .22 calibre rifle was found in the car and the accused said it was i his. He admitted firing two ! shots but did not know where He had been drinking i but was not drunk, said Constable Dyens i Constable R. D. Cummings Jsaid the rifle found in the I car smelled as though it had ; been fired quite recently. In evidence, Fulop denied I firing two ahota. He said he

had been six miles past Riccarton to do some shooting At 2 am. he decided to go for a drive to New Brighton BREACH OF PROBATION

Frederick Tiata. aged 26 charged with committing a breach of probation by failing to report on June 26. having been placed on probation on September 18 for theft and assault, was remanded in custody until August 29 for a further report Tiata pleaded guilty to the charge. NO INCOME RETURNS For failing to furnish returns of income .convictions were entered and fines imposed as follows: Maurice Wilfred Harnett. £5: Wallis Brothers. L*d . £3; R H Harper. Ltd. £4 REMANDED John Harold Serong was remanded in custody until August 29 on charges of committing a breach of probation at Invercargill on June 22 by failing to report a change of address and for disobedience of a maintenance order on March 28.