NEGLIGENT DRIVING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1938, Page 9

NEGLIGENT DRIVING

RICCARTON GIRL FOUND GUILTY. By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 13. Gladys Ruby Vivian, aged 18, of Foster Street, Riccarton, was found guilty in the Supreme Court today of driving a motor-car negligently at the Kaiapoi Bridge, thereby causing the death of Roy Shakespeare Ayers. She was fined £lO and disqualified from obtaining a driving licence for three years. Miss Vivian was in a car together with James Henry Kitto, a young man, at the time of the accident. Both appeared in the dock on the charge. Kitto had told the police afterward that he was the driver and that he took all responsibility, but some days later Miss Vivian came forward with a statement that she was at the wheel, and that Kitto was teaching her to drive. The jury found Kitto not guilty and Miss Vivian guilty, adding a rider that her negligence was a result of incompetence. Mr Justice Northcroft said that quite clearly two persons could not drive one car at once. He therefore directed the jury that in no circumstances must it convict both accuse.d. When the jury brought in its verdict Mr Justice Northcroft remarked that he was entirely in agreement with the jury.