INTOXICATED MOTORIST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 102, 3 May 1938, Page 5

INTOXICATED MOTORIST

COLLISION WITH CYCLIST FINE OF £2O IMPOSED Arising out of a collision between a motor-car and a cyclist in Bell Street on Saturday night, James Pyke Reynolds was charged in the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr J. H. Salmon. S.M., with being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a motor-car. He pleaded not guilty. He was fined £2O and his licence was cancelled for 12 months. Senior-Sergeant L. R. Capp conducted the for the police and Mr A. A. Barton appeared for defendant. William Hardman stated that he was cycling home o' Saturday night along Bell Street on his correct side. Th* lights o* a car following became very bright and he pulled nearer to the gutter. He had only gone a few yards when the car crashed into his j cycle and ran over the back wheel. ; Two men got out of the car, and he i asked them to get his leg out of the i wheel. One of them remarked: ; “Where is your leg?” and then fell on top of him. The driver offered to take witness home, but some person

went for the police. In the opinion of witness, defendant was not in a fit state to drive the car as he was under the influence of liquor. Dr. A. H. E. Wall said he was called to the police station at 10 p.m. and examined defendant, who was obviously under the influence of liquor and in the opinion of witness was not I fit to drive a car. j Constable T. H. Waite said he was ; called to the scene of the accident. ! Defendant smelt of liquor and was ! unsteady on his feet. Cross-examined, i witness said defendant was upset at i having knocked the cyclist over and i concerned for his welfare. His speech ; was thick i Sergeant R. J. F. Whiting said that : defendant appeared to treat the mat- : ter quite lightly at the police station. I He said he had met a returned soldier ; friend, and had several drinks with • him and that this, was the result. He i was under the influence of liquor and ; incapable of being in charge of a ' motor-vehicle. ■ Mr Barton at this stage withdrew : the plea of not guilty. He stated that i accused said that he only had three ; small whiskies and three shandies ■ during the afternoon. He very sel- ! dom took any drink, and was a citizen ’ i of good repute. i The magistrate stated that it very ; often happened in these cases that the offenders were men of good character but had slipped. However, ha must be consistent with the fines. De-

fendant would be convicted and fined £2O, with costs, and unless there were very good reasons he must in all these cases suspend the licence for a time. Defendant’s licence would be cancelled for 12 months.