HELD TO BE DRUNK

Evening Star, Issue 19197, 13 March 1926, Page 2

HELD TO BE DRUNK

MOTORIST FINED £lO SEIDEL TO EARLY KORHIIIG COLLISION Tho case was continued at the City Police Court yesterday afternoon, in which David Russell Thompson was charged with having driven a motor car whilst intoxicated. Evidence was given in the morning by several witnesses to the effect that Thompson was drunk, but Constable Lean stated that he considered that defendant was sober. Tho constable admitted that he hadn’t taken a statement from either the defendant or anyone else connected with the accident. Thomas Cajnpbell, who was knocked down by the defendant in Princes street at 2 a.m. on Sunday, January 24, said that he had received an 1.0.1 J. for £l2 from defendant in connection with the accident. Ho was quite satisfied with the arrangement that he had made. Witness admitted that he gave evidence reluctantly. _ Evidence was given by several witnesses to the effect that Thompson could not have been drunk when tho accident took place, whilst Mr Bnrrowclough, who appeared for the defendant, pointed out that none of tho witnesses for tho prosecution had mentioned to the constable that defendant was drunk. Alt Bundle held that the defendant was drunk at the time of the accident. though he might, have recovered quite quickly. When the police arrived half an hour later the constable who saw- Thompson made rather a perfunctory examination, and was of opinion that he was sober, but His Worship liefd that ho was not in a fit state to drive a car. He would take into consideration the time at which the accident occurred, and the fact that the defendant had so far recovered that the constable stated that he wasfsoher. He was lucky, however, that he was not charged with manslaughter. He would he fined £lO. with _ costs (£3 19s). and would have his license cancelled for twelve months, A month was allowed in which to pay the fine.