ASLEEP AT WHEEL

Evening Star, Issue 22975, 4 June 1938, Page 13

ASLEEP AT WHEEL

INTOXICATED MOTORIST SUBSTANTIAL FINE IMPOSED A motorist 'who was found by a constable in Pitt street last night asleep behind the wheel of his motor car appeared in the Police Court this morning to answer a charge_ of being in a state of intoxication while in charge or a motor’car The accused was James Fogarty (39), and he entered a plea of guilty, M r c - J - L - White a PP ear * ing on his behalf. . , Senior-sergeant Claasen said that at 11.60 last night Constable Jarman found the defendant asleep behind the driving wheel in his car in Pitt street. The constable took him from the driving wheel to the central police station. He was definitely intoxicated, and Dr Ritchie certified ho was unfit to drive. There was no evidence that the man was driving. He had been before the court previously. Mr White said tha.t the defendant held a responsible position, and in the course of his business did 18,000 miles a year in his tear. Yesterday, being Show Day, he made an early start, and saw people throughout the day. Ho had a few drinks, and when he went home tired out lie had liquor. He found it was too late to park his car in a garage, and decided, according to his usual practice under such circumstances, to park it in Elder street, which would have entailed his driving only 20 or 30 yards. Apparently the drink took effect when he came out into the night air, and he fell asleep over the wheel. He had been before the court on a similar charge some three years ago, and he informed counsel that on that occasion he was not driving.the car. He appreciated keenly his position, through it was an act of folly to go near the car in that condition. The magistrate (Mr J. R. Bartholomew) said it was claimed there were exceptional circumstances. All that could be said in defendant’s favour was that he was not driving the car. Had he been driving, His Worship said a more drastic penalty would have been imposed. The defendant was convicted and fined £4O, and ordered to pay expenses (21s), and his license was suspended for 12 months.