GUILTY OF NEGLIGENCE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 11, 12 July 1930, Page 14

GUILTY OF NEGLIGENCE

MOTORIST FINED £20

An accident which occurred in Austin street at 11.20 p.m. on the 2nd June had a sequel in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. E. Page, S.M., when John Lancelot Gladstone was fined £20 on a charge of negligently driving a motor-car. A charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a car was dismissed.

Defendant; who was represented by Mr. W. P. Shorland, pleaded not guilty to the two charges, but pleaded guilty" to a charge of not having a driver's licence. He later pleaded guilty -to the charge of negligent driving. Sub-Inspector Lopdell said that on the 2nd June the defendant and a man uamled Williams visited a friend's place in Pirie street. During the evening the detfendant and a girl companion went for a drive in Williams's car. and on the return .journey collided with a stationary car in Austin street. It was alleged by the prosecution that the defendant was intoxicated at the time of the accident.

The defendant in a statement made at the police station said he had had only four drinks during the day. After evidence for the prosecution had been heard, Mr. Shorland submitted that the charge of intoxication had not been proved. Mr. Page intimated that the evidence did fall short of proving that the defendant was in a state a'i intoxication.

After conferring with his client, Mr. Shorland said that if the charge of intoxication was dismissed, the defendant would plead guilty to the charge of negligent driving. Mr. Pago dismissed the charge of intoxication, but remarked that he would have to impose a substantial penalty on the negligent driving charge. Gladstone was convicted and fined £20 for negligent driving, and was prohiibted from holding a driver's licence for a period of twelve months. . On a charge of having no driver s licence he was fined £2.