DANGEROUS DRIVING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22353, 26 February 1936, Page 16

DANGEROUS DRIVING

MOTORIST SENT TO PRISON " MAKING A FOOL OF THE LAW" [from our own correspondent] LONDON, Jan. 25 "Where a man is found guilty of driving to the danger of the public, in my judgment it is the duty ,of Judges to take notice of that verdict and seed the man to prison." Mr. Justice Charlei made this statment at the Old Bailey, when Frank William Brinn. aged 40, haulage contractor, was charged with the manslaughter of Miss Harriet Hands, aged 64, of Muswell Hill. Mr. Christmas Humphreys, who pros©, cuted, told the Court that the police chased Brinn's car between Finchley* and Whetstone. They shouted to him to stop, but he took no notice. At Whetstone the pursued car knocked down Miss Hands as she was crossing the road. , Brinn, in evidence, declared that no did not see the police car or hear the shouting. He denied that he was travel* / ling at 42 to 55 miles an hour, lhe jury acquitted Brinn of manslaughter, but found him guilty of driving ina manner dangerous to the public. Defending counsel pleaded that the man should not be sent to prison. He must go to prison," retorted Mr. Justice Charles. " It is making a fool of the law not to send people of this sort to prison." Addressing Brinn, the Judge stated that the jury had re* turned a verv merciful verdict. " They have, however, he went on. "found you guilty of dangerous driving —driving in a 30-mile-an-hour limit area on a greasy road just for your own pleasure at from 42 to 55 nines an hour. Incidentally, you li3ve at your door the death of this woman. " Had you been found guilty of manslaughter I should have sent you to penal servitude. ,As it is, I give.you » comparatively short term of imprisonment—six months in the second division —and for seven years I must suspend your licence."