DROVE WILDLY THROUGH CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17710, 3 December 1925, Page 1

DROVE WILDLY THROUGH CITY.

DRUNKEN MECHANIC ARRESTED BY POLICE. KNOCKED OVER CYCLIST AND HIT LORRY. That lie drove a motor-oar while intoxicated. That he drove a motor-car recklessly. That he converted, a motor-car belonging to T. W. Woodroffe to his own use without colour of right to do so. That he failed to report an accident.

That he drove a car when not licensed to do so. These were the charges which Lawrence Albert Manning, a mechanic, aged twenty-nine, was called upon to answer in the Magistrate’s Court this morning. lie went for a joy ride in a “ borrowed ’’’ car yesterday afternoon, and in the first half-mile had two smashes. The police arrived and that was the end of the spin. Manning pleaded guilt}' to all the charges. Donald Lloyd Townsend, aged thirtyone. was charged jointly with Manning with converting the car to his own use. He was also charged with drunkenness. Townsend pleaded guilty to the drunkenness charge, but not guilty to the other. Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., was on the Bench and Sub-Inspector Mathew prosecuted. The Sub-Inspector said that Mr Woodroffe left his car in Hereford Street about 4.30 yesterday afternoon. When he returned fifteen minutes later the car was missing. The two accused took possession of the car and drove north along Manchester Street at between thirty and thirty-five miles an hour. Two boys were cycling on their correct side of the road and one of them was knocked down by the car driven by Manning and was carried along for about 100 yards. The bicycle was smashed to pieces. At the corner of Manchester Street and Bealey Avenue the car collided with a motpr-lorry and was considerably damaged When the police arrived it was found that Manning was intoxicated. Evidence was given by Richard Thompson, who saw both accused take possession of the cat. Manning was remanded to appear for sentence on Saturday morning. The charge of converting against Townsend was dismissed, but on the drunkenness charge he was fined £2, in default seven days’ imprisonment.