PROOF OF DRUNKENNESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18582, 17 December 1934, Page 13

PROOF OF DRUNKENNESS

EVIDENCE OF DOCTORS NO SPECIAL WEIGHT (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. In cases heard in the Police Court this morning, Sub-Inspector McLean held that medical evidence concerning the condition of men charged with drunkenness held no greater weight than that of an experienced layman. "Apart from taking the pulse, I'll back my own judgment. I know as well as a doctor when a man is in a drunken condition," he said. George Mainfold Wilton, a dental mechanic, pleaded guilty to a charge-of drunkenness while in charge of a motorcycle on December 15. The sub-inspector said the. accused had been seen by a constable coming out of an hotel.' lie was under the influence of alcohol. The accused started up a motor-cycle, but went only a few yards when ho stalled the machine. When the man was brought to the police station he was considerably more than intoxicated. A doctor examined Wilton and said he did not think that the man was in a condition where he should hn detained. However, in the subinspector's opinion, Wilton was drunk. He had admitted having 11 long beers during tho afternoon, and he had a partly consumed bottle of liquor and a flask of gin in his possession. Wilton was convicted and fined £5, in default 21 days' gaol.