"SPEED FIEND" GAOLED

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 17, 20 July 1931, Page 11

"SPEED FIEND" GAOLED

DEUNK IN A CAR

A TWO MONTHS' SENTENCE

A sentence of two months' hardlabour was imposed on Thomas J. Firth, a grocer, aged 21, by Mr. E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court this afternoon for being intoxicated in charge of a motor-car on Thorndon quay. On a charge of reckless driving, and another of not having a driver's licence, ho was convicted and discharged. Sub-Inspector Lopdcll said that the accused appeared to have been to the races on Saturday. However, ho was seen in the Trentham district. The car came under the notice of an inspector, who said that the accused's car passed through Taita at about 50 miles per hour, cutting in and passing all other cars. A search was made, and the accused was located by Constables Morrison and Lowe about 6 o 'clock in the Eailway Hotel. Constable Morrison saw three men being put out of the hotel, and recognised the accused as one of them. The accused hurried across the road, and before they had time to intercept him, he drove off. He appeared to have known he was being pursued, for he followed'a route which showed he was trying to evado the constable, who described his speed at 40, 50, and, in some streets,, over 60 miles per hour. He was later caught, and when the constable saw him at 6.45 p.m. ho considered he was intoxicated. He did not seem to realise the seriousness of .his position until ho was locked up. He was seen by his solicitor at 7.30 p.m., when he had sobered up considerably. '-'This lad is twenty years of age and has a list of offences dating since 1926,"' continued the Sub-Inspector. "In 1930 He was, charged with dangerous driving at Christchurch, and failing to observe'a. traffic officer's signal." The accused was fined £11 for that escapade In November he was driving on the Kimutakas with a friend when ho ran into a motor-cycle- and drove on. His car .was scon by a witness, however, and when ho, drove, back some time later, representing that.he was a Good Samaritan, ho was recognised. He was then charged with being intoxicated in charge of a motorcar and Was, debarred from driving for three years. "It is suggested'to me that a monetary penalty will not affect him at all. Ho has no sense o± fear or caution, and there is no restraint to his drinking. Undor these circumstances he is a'danger to himself as. well as to others," said Mr. Lopdcll. . ■ " ■, i - - Mr. S, -Wiren, who appeared for the accused/.Baid he had had six motor-cars an<l x five motor-cycles in succession. Today was his 21st birthday, and when he became 25 he would come into about £5000 which his.mother had left him. His adopted father had died a short time ago. ' . . "This defendant has a list of six convictions for dangerous driving, several for negligent driving and failing to obey traffic signals, and one other, for being intoxicated in charge of a motor-car," said Mr. Page. "He appears to have flouted the order of the "Court, because when ho was arrested he' was driving without a licence. It seems to me he is a young man-who is unfitted to drive a ear at all."