DRUNKENNESS CHARGE DISMISSED BY S.M.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19060, 3 May 1930, Page 12

DRUNKENNESS CHARGE DISMISSED BY S.M.

A charge of drunkenness was dismissed in the Magistrate’s Court this morning by Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., despite evidence of two police witnesses. The accused •titered a plea of not guilty, and a constable swore that when arrested at 4.10 p.m. yesterday the man was drunk. Another constable gave evidence that when lie saw the accused at the Police Station last evening the man was unsteady on his feet. Giving evidence on his own behalf, the accused said that he was riding a cycle along St Asaph Street. On turning into Colombo Street, he met a tram and three motor-cars. He swerved to avoid the tram and a motor-lorry came up on the outside and ran into him, knocking him off his cycle and cutting his head. He declared that he had always been unsteady on his feet, as they were crippled. In reply to Sergeant Hyland, who conducted the prosecution, "the accused said that he had one sliandy yesterday morning. Sergeant Hyland said that if necessary, he could obtain the evidence of another police sergeant and another constable. Mr Lawry: He cannot have been very drunk if he was riding a bike. The case was dismissed.