NEGLIGENT DRIVING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23500, 14 May 1938, Page 9

NEGLIGENT DRIVING

AN UNUSUAL CASE YOUNG WOMAN FOUND GUILTY (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, May 13. Gladys Ruby Vivian, aged 18, of Foster street, Riccarton, was found guilty in the Supreme Court to-day of driving a motor car negligently on the Kaiapoi bridge, thereby causing the death of Roy Shakespeare Ayers. She was fined £lO and disqualified from obtaining a driving licence for three years. The accused was in a car together with James Henry Kitto, a young man, at the time of the accident. Both appeared in the dock on the charge. Kitto had told the police afterwards that he was the driver and he took all responsibility, but some days later Miss Vivian came forward with a statement that she was at the wheel and that Kitto was teaching her to drive. The jury found Kitto not guilty and Miss Vivian guilty, adding a rider that her negligence was the result of incompetence. Mr Justice Northcroft said that it was quite clear that two persons could not drive one car at once. He therefore directed the jury that in no circumstances must it convict both the accused. When the jury brought in its verdict his Honor remarked that he was entirely in agreement with the verdict.