DRUNKEN DRIVERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20106, 27 March 1928, Page 7

DRUNKEN DRIVERS

FINES INFLICTED Young Medical Man’s Spree Ends In Court NAME SUPPRESSED. I Per Press Association. ] AUCKLAND, March On behalf of a young medical rnaa who did not appear iu Court, Mr Singer entered a plea of guilty to a charge of being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a motor-car in O’Neil Street at a late hour on St. Patrick’s Day. Counsel, after stress ing the fact that the offence took place late at night, said there was no question that accused had consumed sufficient liquor to make out the charge brought agaisst him. “It is not a bad case,” said counsel, “and in view of the fact tnat defendant has suffered considerable expense and worry and is distressed, a penalty other than a monetary one would bo out of all proportion, while publication of his name w’ould s\>ell ruination for this young medical practitioner wh( is just commencing m life. I wouH therefore ask the Court to exercise itr discretion and suppress his name. I has been done before in this Court to the ease of professional men.” Sub-Inspector McCarthy stated that accused was very much under Uic influence of drink. Accused ’ind the other occupant of the car were rather badly cut about, tud one had to go to hospital. Accused was hold in custody until he was sober enough to Vw bailed

Mr Singer said it was established beyond doubt that the accident was caused by an inner tube blowing out. The doctor was fined £l5. “I think the application for suppression is a reasonable one and the name is therefore ordered to be suppressed,” paid the Magistrate, Mr Cutten, S.M. Mechanic Charged. Another charge of intoxication wni?S I in charge of a motor-car was heard before Mr Cutten, S.M., accused . thi> time being James Wallace Irvin, aged 50 a mechanic. Mr Sellar said that Irvin had been in the lock-up since Saturday evening about 5 p.m. On Saturday after having successfully driven his old car to Penrose out from Green Lane, Irvin pulled up outside the Ellerslie Hotel.

“The constable was evidently most zealous, for he arrested accused as he was about to crank up Lis car,” said counsel. Mr Sellar pointed out that Irvin was not driving the car, or even sitting in it. He had a friend with him who could have driven Lim home. There was no suggestion of an accident being involved. The whole thing was merely a Saturday afternoon jaunt. Sub-Inspector McCarthy said the facts were as stated by counsel. The constable had arrested Irvin for safety’s sake. Irvin was no doubzt well under the influence of liquor. “I would ask on behalf of my client that his name be suppressed,” said counsel.

‘ ‘ Have you any special reason why it should be suppressed ” asked the Magistrate.

Mr Sellar: “None sir, except that the offence was a comparatively gmall matter, and Irvin is a respectable man. in poor circumstances.

Irvin was fined £5, Mr Cutten refusing the application for suppression of name.