SALESMAN PUNISHED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 638, 15 April 1929, Page 11

SALESMAN PUNISHED

INTOXICATED IN CAR

G!RL RESENTS ATTENTION Drunkenness was regarded in the Police Court this morning as the cause ofthe behaviour of Thomas Gallagher, a car salesman. 23 years of age, toward a young Maori girl. Gallagher was charged with being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a car in Hobson Street on April 14 and with committing an aggravated assault on a 16-year-old native girl. After consideration. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.. said he would let one conviction cover Gallagher's behaviour. The young man was fined £lO for being ilrunk while in charge of the car and was allowed seven days in which to find the money. don’t think I can call the other charge aggravated assault,” Mr. Hunt decided. “I shall take it all as one offence, but, because 1 am dismissing the other charge, it does not say that the charge has not been proved.” Mr. Hunt further ordered Gallagher to take out a prohibition order immediately. The girl, in evidence, said that she was walking up Hobson Street with the intention of catching a tram. Aetused pulled up in his car and began speaking with her. There was another man in the back seat of the car. Gallagher tried to pull her into the front seat beside hint, but she broke away. The car still followed her. Later she complained to a constable that the ntan had frightened her because he was drunk.

The constable said that Gallagher had at first refused to give his name and so he arrested him. Mr. Hunt: If I did not think that this youug man's behaviour was due to drunkenness, T should be inclined to punish him severely. Sub-Inspector McCarthy: It it is ail due to drunkenness, then the intoxication charge is aggravated.

Counsel for Gallagher said that the young man had been badly punished and had lost his position. The accused was willing to take out a prohibition order.