DRUNKEN DRIVER OF VAN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 252, 21 July 1936, Page 11

DRUNKEN DRIVER OF VAN

£75 Fine and Cancellation

VERY BAD CASE, SAYS MAGISTRATE By Telegraph—Press Association. Clnistchurcli, July 20. After knocking down a cyclist and injuring a girl while passing a stationary tram, Stanley Steen Middleton, driver of a milk van, was detained by the motorman and conductor of the tram until he was arrested. He appeared on remand in the Magistrate’s Court this morning on a charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a motorvan. He pleaded guilty and was fined £75 and ordered to pay costs. His licence was cancelled and endorsed and he was prohibited from obtaining one for two years. In outlining the circumstances, SubInspector Maclean said that accused had taken a great deal of liquor and was in an advanced state of drunkenness. He was driving a milk motor-van down Ferry Road on the evening of July 10 and had knocked over a cyclist, almost cutting the cycle in two. If accused had entered another plea he would have called evidence to show that he was travelling at 50 miles an hour.

Accused then swerved past a stationary tram, the sub-inspector continued. In doing so he struck a girl who was just dismounting. The conductor saw the van approaching and shouted “Look out.” The girl pressed against the tram but the tail of the van struck her hips and injured them, although no bones were broken. Middleton was most violent when placed in the cell. Accused had never been before the court before, but the sub-inspector said he understood that he was addicted to liquor. Counsel said that accused was a married man, aged 35, with three children He had been manager of a dairy farm at Sumner for the past nine years. He drove the truck, which was necessary for his business, but he had never had an accident. On the day in question Middleton commenced work at 4 a.m. and did a full day’s work and had no tea. Just before going to town he had one glass of whisky and two glasses of beer. He was in a poor state of health and it seemed that he was in a state of health in which drink had a serious effect. Middleton had endeavoured to pass the tram before it stopped and it seemed that he committed a very grave error of judgment. “It seems to the court that these cases are steadily forcing a position in which legislation will have to be passed removing any chance of fines in these matters,” said the magistrate (Mr. E. C. Levvey). “If a man takes liquor and commits an aggravated assault on some person or other, there is no option, but these cases seem in a category by' themselves —why, I do not know. Very shortly the court will have to treat these matters with no option, but I do not wish to have to take this stand yet. “This is really a very bad case and one finds difficulty in adjusting the penalty to the gravity of the offence,” said the magistrate, in giving his decision.