COLLISION CASE

Evening Post, Issue 15, 17 July 1936, Page 11

COLLISION CASE

AFFECTED BY LIQUOR

MAGISTRATE'S STRICTURES

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, This Day.

"During the past six weeks I have had to deal with more of these cases than in any six months of any other period in the whole sixteen years I have been in Auckland," commented Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court this morning when dealing with a motorist who pleaded guilty to being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a car.

The defendant was William Richard T. Leighton, aged 72, a contractor.

Sub-Inspector Fox said that early in the evening of July 9 Leighton's car collided with a youth on a cycle. Leighton got out, looked at the rear of his vehicle, and then drove on. An eye-witness of the accident jumped on the running board and made Leighton stop. The youth lay injured in hospital till yesterday. The accused was a respectable man and had never been in trouble before. Although not drunk, he was in a state of intoxication.

For the defendant, Mr. Terry said that Leighton had only a small quantity of light lager, but no doubt the effect of leaving a. warm room and going into the cold air produced a reaction which resulted in a,state of mild intoxication. Leighton was* not aware of any injury to the boy and denied that he attempted to drive away.

Sub-Inspector Fox interjected that it was only fair fo say that it appeared that Leighton' was not aware of the accident.

"This is another of these cases in which the consumption of a small amount of liquor has led to unexpected consequences," commented the Magistrate. He cancelled the accused's driving licence for twelve months and imposed- a fine of £20, besides ordering payment of doctor's fee, £1 Is.