SEQUEL TO FATALITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19169, 7 November 1925, Page 12

SEQUEL TO FATALITY.

WILLIAM SINCLAIR'S CASE. ORDER REGARDING A LICENSE. The youthful motor-car driver, William Sinclair, who was acquitted in the Supremo Court this week on a charge of manslaughter, appeared in the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., en alternative charges. They arose out of an accident in Karangahape Road, when defendant's car knocked down Mrs. Kate Dowding as she was crossing the street. Defendant was charged with having ' driven the car without a certificate of competency, with having failed to stop and give his name and address at the time of the accident, and with negligent driving. Mr. Sollav, who appeared for defendant, suggested that t!i: negligent driving charge might bo withdrawn. The Magistrate: I took the inquest. I know all about it. The jury did not convict him of manslaughter, but I will convict him of negligent driving. Mr. Sellar: Un tho other two charges I must plead guilty. The Magistrate: He stole his employer's carMr. Sellar: No, sir, I cannot agree to that. He had a colour of right to use it. The Magistrate: A very small colour. Mr. Hunt added that Sinclair had bolted to Sydney. Counsel replied that he had come back voluntarily. Ho was only a youth. The Magistrate: He has killed a woman by his carelessness. 1 heard tho inquest. I "know. If he had been careful, he would not have killed the woman. The jury did not convict him of manslaughter, it is true. Mr. H»nt said that on the charge of not stopping, defendant had been sufficiently punished, and was merely convicted and discharged. i>u- having no license,-lie was lined 10s and costs. For negligent driving, ho was convicted and discharged, and an order mado that no license should be issued for 12 months. Mr. Hunt said he could not agree to a withdrawal of (ho negligent driving charge. The jury had found that the negligence was not sufficient to warrant a conviction for manslaughter. Mr. Sellar said he understood the police were agreeable to the withdrawal. The magistrate finally consented to tho" withdrawal of the charge, on the understanding that no license should be issued for 12 months.