British seaman admits fatal accident count

Press, 10 December 1983, Page 4

British seaman admits fatal accident count

PA Blenheim A crewman from the Royal Fleet Auxilliary Appleleaf, currently berthed in Picton, admitted two charges arising from a fatal accident, when he appeared in the District Court at Blenheim yesterday.

Police said that Alan John Graves, aged 27, a motorman, had been drinking before the accident in Blenheim on Wednesday night. Graves was charged that, while having an excess breath-alcohol level, he caused the death of Elizabeth Horne Rutland, and

bodily injury to Gordon Smart, Jean Griff and Freda Cameron.

Graves was fined $lOOO on the charge of causing death and $BOO on the other charge. He was disqualified from driving for five years. “If you think that is heavy, you would have been facing a prison sentence of at least two or three years if you were remaining in New Zealand,” Judge Headifen said.

Sergeant R. North, prosecuting, said that Graves failed to yield the right of way at an intersection. The four occupants of the

car suffered serious injuries, Mrs Rutland, who had been a backseat passenger, died next day. The other occupants were still in the intensive care unit yesterday. The Court was told that, Graves admitted to police he had been drinking and an evidential breath test showed a level of 700 microBof alcohol per litre of — 200 micrograms over the limit.

The Appleleaf is expected to leave next Thursday to rendezvous with the Royal Navy carrier Invincible in Australia.