LICENSE SUSPENDED

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 124, 30 May 1927, Page 11

LICENSE SUSPENDED

On Friday afternoon last a petrol pump stand in front, of tho V.1.C., Lower Hutt, was knocked down by a motor-car. As a result of a complaint to the police, S. V. Burridge was shortly.afterwards arrested in Penrose street, and he was charged this morning before Messrs, .C.-.8. Robinson and *. Dempsey, J.P.s, with being in charge of a car while in a state of intoxication. Mr. Mowat, proprietor of the V.1.C., said that after the accident he had endeavoured to get an explanation, but the accused, the driver of the car, did not stop. A few momenta later he had spoken to accused at the Town Hall buildings, when he was of the opinion that the accused was under the influence of liquor* Constable Kelly described the arrest of the accused outside his property in Penrose street. He had no doubt that as the result of taking intoxicating liquor accused was not fit to drive his car. He was unsteady on his feet, in a dazed condition, and his breath smelt of liquor. . The defence was a denial of intoxication and an assertion, that the condition of accused was caused by ill-health. Burridge gave evidence that he was under medical advice and that he was subject to attacks of dizziness. Also he -was somewhat deaf,~-which accounted for his not knowing he had backed into the pump. He had not heard Mowat ask him to stop. He had a drink of brandy early that day, and a small glass of whisky at the V.1.0. liquor store. Evidence as to the sober habits of accused was given by Messrs. G. A. Chapman and H. F. Leighton. Messrs. Palmer and Gibson, wop had seen the accused immediately prior to his arrest, said he was suffering from illness, but therei was )no sign of intoxication. The Bench found that as a result of taking intoxicating liquor, the accused was in a state of intoxication, and was unfit to be in charge of a car. He was fined so, and had his license suspended for twelve months. Mr. E. T. Bunny, who appeared for accused, gave notice of appeal, and to enable this to be done the fine was increased to £5 Is.