Drove Converted Truck Into Policeman’s House

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30879, 12 October 1965, Page 3

Drove Converted Truck Into Policeman’s House

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 11. John Grace, aged 21, the driver of a truck which crashed through a wooden fence into a police residence adjoining the Ponsonby police station on Saturday, today pleaded guilty to taking the truck unlawfully, driving in a manner which might have been dangerous to the public, and driving without a licence. Detective-Sergeant B. T. N. Hutton said the truck was being used at a building site In Ponsonby road and at midday it was left unattended while the workers went to the hotel. Grace, who was not working that day, took the truck and drove it through traffic lights.

He told the police he had tried to avoid an oncoming car. He had driven into the police residence, causing extensive damage to the truck, the fence and the house. Mr E. F. Rothwell, S.M., convicted Grace and remanded him until Friday for sentence. Henry Peri, aged 24, pleaded guilty to unlawfully taking another truck from the same building site on Saturday and driving without a licence. Peri had taken the truck to Grey Lynn during the lunch hour while his workmates were in the hotel. Peri said he had suddenly decided to go home for lunch He was fined £l5 for taking the truck and £5 for driving without a licence.