POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 11

POLICE COURT

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, (Before Mr H, W. Bundle, S.M.) OFFENDING MOTORISTS. Janies Ivan Fitzgerald, who was charged with driving a motor cycle at an excessive speed, was fined £3 and costs (10s). A further charge of failing to stop at the signal of a constable was also preferred against the defend* ant and was dismissed. Leonard Rowland Ross, for whom Mr W. M‘Alevey appeared, pleaded guilty to charges of failing to stop after a motor accident and failing to render assistance after the accident had happened. Charges of failing to keep to the left of the centre line of the road and of negligent driving were also ipreforred against the defendant, but to these he pleaded not guilty.—After evi dence for the prosecution had been tendered by Constables Souter and Fibbes, the defendant gave evidence to the effect that the truck he was driving could not travel at a greater speed than thirty miles per hour, and maintained that the accident was due to the other driver’s careless driving.— I The Magistrate said that the evidence did not show that the defenant knew an accident had occurred, and dismissed the first two charges. He was satisfied, however, that the defendant’s speed was excessive, and on the charge of negligent driving he would therefore be fined 40s,' with witnesses’ expenses (£3 7s) and court costs (£1 2s). The other charge would be withdrawn. CHARGE OF ASSAULT. Victor Idouv pleaded not guilty to having assaulted a girl. Mr J. G. Warrington represented the accused. Senior-sergeant Packer stated that on March 17 the defendant called at the. house in St. Clair to sell some dressed poultry. The owner of the house and his wife wore aw r ay from home, and the accused, on learning from the domestic in their employ that they were not in, attempted to kiss her, and throw her down on the lawn. Next morning she told, her employer what had happened. Evidence of the alleged assault was given by the complainant. The defendant admitted , having spoken to the girl, but denied attempting to kiss her. The Magistrate said that the assault was not of a serious nature. The defendant had known the girl for some years, and, with.' the mentality which was peculiar to some boys, had expected her to respond to his advances.

In the circumstances he would he convicted and ordered to come up for sentence any time if called on within two years, conditional on his keeping away from the girl in the meantime.