LORRY DRIVER’S OFFENCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 May 1928, Page 11

LORRY DRIVER’S OFFENCE.

DRUNK WHILE IN CHARGE OF VEHICLE. LICENSE SUSPENDED FOR. 12 MOJSTjdLS. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning Albert Arthur Baldock, of Tirimoana, pleaded guilty to a charge of having been in charge of a motor lorry at Normanby whilst in a state of intoxication. Sergeant Henry informed the Court that shortly after live o’clock on the afternoon of April 24 Constable Pidgeon saw defendant, who was obviously intoxicated, come out of the Xormanby Hotel and get into a. motor lorry. He admitted he was in charge of the vehicle, and when he got down in compliance with the constable’s instruction he immediately fell to the ground. Taken to Hawera under arrest, he had to be carried to the cell. Defendant was married and bore a good character except for the present oifence, concluded the sergeant. That defendant was suffering from a cold and had consumed a number of whiskies, to which he was not accustomed, was an excuse offered on defendant’s behalf by Mr. D. G. Smart. Counsel pointed out that defendant did not actually drive the lorry while intoxicated. and it was uncertain whether he would have done so, as a man named Jury who was with him was a competent driver and might have taken charge. A character reference from the Mayor of Eltham (Mr. I. J. Bridger) was read by counsel, who suggested that the cancellation of the driving license would meet the offence.

The Magistratei (Mr. R. W. Tate): “There can be no doubt that drunkenness and motoring must be separated. I don’t want to send this young man to prison if I can help it, hut would like you to give a reason why I should not.”

Mr. Smart: “Defendant has never been in trouble before. If he is sent to gaol it may mar his whole life.” The Magistrate: “He may mar the lives of others if he drives a car while drunk.”

After commenting on the fact that defendant had been given a good character by the sergeant as well as counsel, the Magistrate said he would also take into account the financial and domestic position of defendant. Baldock was placed on probation for twelve months, and was disqualified from holding a driver’s license for the same period.