INTOXICATED CYCLIST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20841, 7 April 1931, Page 10

INTOXICATED CYCLIST.

LABOURER ARRESTED. "OTHER LIVES ENDANGERED." COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE. Charges of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor-cycle and of driving a motor-cycle without being in possession of a driver's licence were preferred against Sydney Ivan Laycock, aged 32, labourer (Mr. Ackins), in the Police Coint yesterday. He pleaded guilty. Detective-Sergeant ' Kelly said that at 5,35 p.m. on Saturday Constable Prestage saw accused, who was in a drunken condition, trying to start the engine of a motor-cycle in Day Street, Newton. Accused was on the wrong side of the street and narrowly escaped being run down by a passing motor-car. He had been before the Court twice previously. Counsel said accused's last conviction was in 1924. Ho had kept straight since then and prior to Saturday ho bad not taken any drink for 11 months. On this occasion lie met some wartime friends and they had several drinks together. Ihe cycle did not belong to accused and he was only going to tako it to a garage down the street when he was accosted by the constable. Day Street was very quiet and there was no traffic about at the time. Leniency was asked for as accused was only a casual worker and was not in good financial circumstances.

"These charges are very serious as other people's lives arc endangered," said the magistrate, Mr. 15. C. Cutten. "Accused will be fined £5; I cannot make any fine less." The magistrate allowed accused one month in which to pay tho fine and directed that no driver's licence should be issued to him during tho next 12 months. On tho other count, Laycock was convicted and discharged.