PRISON WITHOUT AN OPTION

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1934, Page 7

PRISON WITHOUT AN OPTION

MAGISTRATE WARNS MOTORISTS.

“MUST NOT DRINK IF DRIVING.”

By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, Last Night.

“If motorists want to drive they must not drink and if they drink they must not drive. They cannot have it both ways,” said Mr. E. C. Levvey, S.M., during the hearing in the Police Court this morning of a charge of intoxication against a motorist who knocked down a cyclist on Wednesday evening. “This is the second case of its kind this week,” added His Worship, “and I took a more lenient view in the first case than I have for many months under the circumstances. I do not promise to depart from that course in the present instance, but the fact that there have been two of these offences within such a short period makes it necessary for the court to state definitely that in future the rule of imprisonment without the option of a fine will be re-introduced, unless there are very special circumstances. From now on there will be no fines for this class of offence, nor will any plea for the retention of a license be considered.”

His Worship imposed a fine of £l5, with medical expenses 12s 6d and witnesses’ expenses 12s. The accused’s license was endorsed.