RECKLESS YOUTH.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17913, 8 January 1930, Page 6

RECKLESS YOUTH.

INTOXICATED IN CAR. FINE OF £2O IMPOSED. LICENSE SUSPENDED FOR A YEAR. “ This class of case is too common, and Is too serious to be treated leniently,” observed Mr Wyvern Wilson, 8.M.» at the Hamilton Court to-day, when dealing with a chfarge of being intoxicated while In charge of a car, preferred against Peter Gillies Hansen, aged 24.

The offence to which Hansen pleaded guilty occurred on December 26, following the Pirongia races. Senior-Sergeant Sweeney stated that Hansen and two companions left the Pirongia races in a borrowed car to return to Hamilton. They stopped at the Ohaupo Hotel for a time, although Hansen’s companions, Williamson and Burn, denied that Hansen had any drink there. When at 'RUkuhia a car overtook the one driven by Hansen. It would appear that Hansen then speeded up and overtook the car that had just passed him, grazing the other car as he did so. The owner of the other oar tried to get Hansen’s car number, but accused speeded on so quickly that the other car w'as unable to overtake it despite the 40 miles at which it travelled. Hansen’s car, however, overturned on the road, where it had collided with a telegraph pole. The three occupants were pinned beneath the wreckage, and one was admitted to hospital. In the car were found two small beer bottles and a glass- An eye-witness of the accident had stated that Hansen turned.a corner at between 50 and 60 miles an hour 'on his wrong side.

Plea for Accused. Speaking on accused’s behalf, Mr NJohnson said Hansen was practically a •teetotaller. During this particular day he ! had three small toeers, which had affected him. Although his’ companions entered the Ohaupo Hotel, Hansen did not do so. Counsel said the police description of the journey of the car gave a somewhat wrong conception. Hansen’s car merely grazed the running-board of the other one, due to the other swerving outwards. Counsel referred to the fact that Hansen had only been in trouble once before, about four years ago, for con r verting cars to his own use. This was, however, more a boyish prank done in a spirit of bravado than with felonious intent. Hansen was at present following the occupation of imotor-driver, and in view of this fact, that he could not have been described as drunk, and also the fact of his youth, counsel asked that accused be accorded a further term of probation. His Honour recalled that Hansen and another youth had converted 14 or 15 cars to their own use, and for some weeks had imposed a reign of terror on car-owners, for cars were toeing taken away nightly, and after their benzine had toeen used were abandoned. •His Worship added that Hansen appeared to be reckless and lacked selfcontrol- Had the circumstances of the present case been a little different, it was quite possible somebody would have been killed. His Worship said he was not going to take a chance of letting accused drive a car for the next 12 months. Cases of this kind were too common and too serious to be treated.leniently, Accused was fined £2O and his license was suspended for 12 months.