TERM IN GAOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 5

TERM IN GAOL

MOTORIST'S OFFENCE INTOXICATION CHARGE CHASE AFTER ACCIDENT The story of a taxi-driver's chase after a motorist who had knocked down a boy cyclist was told in the Police Court before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., yesterday, when Herbert Edward Muneaster O'Neill, battery repairer, aged 35 (Mr. Aekins), was charged! with being intoxicated in charge of a motorcar in New North Eoad on May 7. The charge was denied. Accused admitted driving without a licence. Sub-Inspector Pender said that at 4.55 p.m. on May 7 accused drove a car which knocked down a boy cyclist in New North Road. He did not stop and was followed by Mr. Harold Joseph Cranch, a taxj-driver, the chase being made at a high speed. Accused was driving erratically and took no notice of horn signals from the taxicab. After accused had bored across the road in front of the taxi to prevent it passing him he was stopped in East Street. He went back to the scene of the, accident but made off while the taxi was turning. That evening he was found by a constable at his : home in a drunken sleep and when examined by a doctor at 6.35 p.m. was considered to be intoxicated. Statement by Accused

Mr. Aekins said accused did not know he had hit the cyclist and when he had been told by the taxi-driver lie went back. Finding no sign of the cyclist he went to his shop near by. He was not intoxicated at the time of the accident and had had beer subsequently. Accused denied boring across the road when being followed by the taxi. He had been working all day and had bad no drink, but he had been called in the overseas ballot that morning and had a number of drinks after the accident.

Mr. Ponder said accused was fined £2O in August and his licence was cancelled fur a year on a similar charge. Taxi-driver Congratulated

Mr. Aekins said accused was awaiting selection for the Air Force and a prison sentence would probably disqualify him. The taxi-driver was congratulated by the magistrate on chasing accused's car.

Accused was sentenced to one month's imprisonment on the charge of intoxication and was and discharged on the count of driving without a licence. The magistrate said lie would do anything he could to assist accused if he was called up for selection.