INTOXICATION CHARGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 166, 19 July 1946, Page 7

INTOXICATION CHARGE

COMPANY MANAGER FINED TRIED TO START TRUCK After pleading guilty in Hie Magistrates Court. Wanganui, yesterday to being intoxicated while in charge of a motor truck, Ronald Stevenson Hatrick, company manager, ageci 43, was lined £25 and costs. His licence to drive was cancelled for 18 months. Senio.-Sergeant F. Cuiloly, who prosecuted, told the Court that at. seven o’clock on Wednesday evening Constable D. A. Almond was cycling up the lower portion of Victoria Ave-: nue when ho observed defendant walking across the street 21 a drunken condition. The constable looked back and saw defendant enter a truck. When Constable Almond i eturned, defendant was sitting behind the wheel trying to start the engine. He made two attempts, but the engine stalled on each occasion. After the constable had i emoved the ignition key defendant, said: “Don’t pick me up, I‘m jn trouble.” When questioned he said it was domestic troubue. '’Defendant was very unsteady on his feet and was obviously well under the influence of liquor.” the seniorsergeant adaed. “He was described by the constable as being almost drunk and was inclined to argue on trivial matters.” After being taken to the Central Police Station, defendant was examined by Dr. C. H. Hughes Johnson. Defendant had one previous conviction. Mr. J. M. Hussey, who appeared for defendant: How old is that? Senior-Sergeant Culloty: It was in 1934. Mr. Hussey submitted that the case was not as grave as some. He asked the Court to deal with it as leniently as possible. ’ The previous offence was 12 years ago. therefore I can impose a fine.” said the magistrate. Defendant was lined £25, and was ordered to pay the medical fee, £1 Is.