INTOXICATED DRIVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20111, 23 November 1928, Page 16

INTOXICATED DRIVER.

ASLEEP AT WHEEL OF CAR. FINE OF £ls IMPOSED. Described by a constable as having been sufficiently drunk to have been arrested in the ordinary way, William Butterfield, aged 32, engineer, was fined £ls in tho Police Court yesterday for being intoxicated while in charge of a motorcar in Great North Road, Grey Lynn. Accused's first [ilea was one of not guilty, but he reversed this after the hearing o: police evidence.

Constable Mawhinney said he saw accused early on Wednesday evening asleep at the driving wheel of a car. which was parked at tho sido of the road. A companion came up and spoke to accused, but it was several minutes before he could bo roused. Accused had endeavoured to start the car when witness approached. Tested by being forced to walk some distance, accused staggered and almost fell. Ho smelt strongly of drink. Tho constable in charge of tho watchhouso ,-it, Newton said accused was unmistakably drunk when he was brought in. Ho would have been arrested for drunkenness had hu been walking along tho street.

Sub-Inspector McCarthy said accused had not previously been before the Court. On accused's behalf, it was stated he had been troubled with malaria during the day. After completing work at Huapai he had some drinks and drove into the city, where he had a few more drinks. Not having had dinner, he was affected by the liquor

In addition to fining accused tin? trate, Mr. 14.I 4 . K. Hunt, endorsed his licence on the understanding that ho took out a prohibition order.