INTOXICATED MOTORIST’S NOVEL DEFENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3550, 14 October 1926, Page 2

INTOXICATED MOTORIST’S NOVEL DEFENCE.

HEAVY PENALTY IMPOSED. Auckland, October 13. A statement that the defendant became intoxicated in his own motor garage, where he had provided “a sort of private bar,” was made by his counsel in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when a fine of £25 was imposed on a plumber, William Thomas Watson (represented by Mr Bryce Hart), for being drunk when in charge of a motor car. The Magistrate (Mr F. K. Hunt) also ordered the cancellation of defendant’s license for six months. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the principal charge, but he admitted driv-ing without lights, being convicted and discharged on this offence.

After evidence had been heard, the defendant’s counsel said the defendant admitted getting drunk in his own garage. He had a space partitioned off as a sort of private bar. His wife had visitors, whom he did not want to see, and having an hour to spend, he had a few drinks in the garage. His wife had recently presented him with twins.

Mi’ Hunt: Were those the visitors he did not want to see?

Air Hart added that the defendant usually went to bed at about 7 p.m., as he had to get up at midnight, and 4 a.m. to attend to the twins. Defendant had seven young children, the eldest being 12 years of age.