CHARGE AGAINST MOTORIST HEARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19239, 28 November 1930, Page 7

CHARGE AGAINST MOTORIST HEARD.

CONFLICTING EVIDENCE IN ASHBURTON COURT. (Special to the “Star.") • ASHBURTON, November 28. Robert Errol Shallcrass was charged before Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. with being found in a state of intoxication while in charge of a car, and also with driving a car not equipped with two efficient, independent brakes. Defendant was represented by Mr L. Charles, and pleaded guilty to the second charge only. Constable T. Round stated that he saw the defendant on the Maronan Road driving in a very erratic fashion. When questioned, defendant stated that he had had five or six beers. He was intoxicated, and smelt strongly of beer. There were two other men in the car, who also had had liquor. One full bottle and one three-quarters full of beer were found in the car. To Mr Charles: Nothing was mentioned about a doctor. Defendant was staggering slightly, and was heavy under the eyes. He appeared sober when the doctor saw him two hours later, but he was intoxicated when arrested. Constable W. L. J. Thyne stated that he put Shallcrass through several tests at the police station. With his eyes closed, Shallcrass swayed slightly and walked the chalk line fairly well. Shallcrass stated that he had had several drinks, but said nothing about a doctor at the time. Senior-Sergeant Martin said that he was at the station when Shallcrass was brought in, and gave evidence as to his state of intoxication. The case was not a bad one. Stephen H. Lill said that he was talking to Shallcrass, and later saw him driving in an erratic manner along the road. He was certainly not in a fit state to drive a car, and witness thought it his duty to inform the police. Dr G. I. Miller stated that when he saw accused about 6.30 at the police station he was perfectly sober. If defendant was intoxicated two hours previously he must have remarkable powers of recuperation. The defendant, who is an insurance agent, stated that he went out to collect an insurance premium. He called at a friend’s place and had four cups of beer before 12 o’clock. He had not consumed any liquor after lunch. To Senior-Sergeant Martin: The two bottles of beer belonged to a man named Robertson, who was with him in the car. He considered he was perfectly sober when arrested. Robert E. Tod stated that when Shallcrass called at a petrol station at Tinwald between three and four o’clock on the afternoon of his arrest he was quite sober. Joseph Nolan stated that he was with defendant, who did not have any' beer after lunch. On the first charge Shallcrass was convicted and fined £lO, and his license was cancelled until January, 1932. On the second charge he was fined 10s and costs.