YOUNG MOTORIST IS CHARGED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17780, 25 February 1926, Page 8

YOUNG MOTORIST IS CHARGED.

POLICE ALLEGE INTOXICATION. Charged with being intoxicated in control of a motor-car, Robert Bruce Brosnan, aged twenty-five, pleaded pot guilty in the Magistrate's Court this afternoon before Mr H. A. Young, S.M. Brosnan was further charged with damaging a. blanket valued at 14s, the property of the New Zealand Government. Mr Lascelles appeared for Brosnan. Sergeant J. 11. M’Namara said that the accused was in a motor-car in Lichfield Street. One wheel was in the gutter and an axle had been damaged. Brosnan and his companion were in a state of intoxication. Brosnan spoke thickly. ITis walk was unsteady and he smelt of liquor. Brosnan said that he had had an accident at Ashburton, but the car could not have been driven as far as that. Further police witnesses stated that Brosnan was not in a fit condition to drive a car. Dr Mark Brown said that Brosnan passed the balancing test at 10.30 p.m. and was not drunk. He walked about well and gave details of his movements. Brosnan might not have been fit to drive the car an hour and a quarter before. The defendant in evidence said he had a little drink and with some companions went to a pie-cart in the Square at about 8.30. Witness drove off down Colombo Street with a friend and as they were about to turn down a side-street a wire broke and the car went into the channel. It was impossible to repair the damage with the tools in his possession. After he had been locked up, he called for doctors, and he was examined later by Dr Brown and Dr Cantrell. At no time during the day was he in a state of intoxication. (Proceeding.)