DRUNKEN VAN DRIVER

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19942, 20 July 1936, Page 8

DRUNKEN VAN DRIVER

HEM Y FIRE IMPOSED. 1 no LICENSE FOR TWO YEARS. i GI-BL CYCLIST KNUCKED DOWN.‘ _ a i (By Telegraph—Press association.) CHRISTCHURCH. Monday. ‘ After knocking donn a cyclist and injuring a girl while passing a stationary tram. Stanley steen Middleton.. driver or a milk van, was detained by the motormen and the conductor of‘ the tram until he was arrested. He appeared on remand in the Magis—trate's court this morning on a charge of being intoxicated in charge of the motor van. He pleaded guilty and was fined £75 and ordered to pay costs. His license was cancelled and endorsed and he was prohibited from obtaining: one for two years. In outlining the circumstances. Sub< Inspector Mac Lean said the accused had taken £1 great deui of liquor and was in an advanced state of drunkenness. He was driving a milk motor van down Ferry Road on the evening of July 10 and had knocked Over a cyclist, almost cutting the" cycle in two. If accused had entered another plea he would have called evidence to show he was travelllng at 50 mllos an hour. Accused then swerved past a stationary tram, the sub-inspector continued. In doing so he struck the girl, who was just dismounting‘. The conductor saw the car approaching and shouted “ Look out!" The girl pressed against. the tram but the tail of the van struck her hips, injuring them. No bones were broken. Violence In cell. Middleton 'was most violent when placed in the cell. He had never been before the Court before but the subinspector understood that he was addicted to liquor. Counsel said accused was a married man, aged 35, with three children. He had been manager or a dairy farm at Sumner for the past nine years. He drove the truck, which was necessary for his business, but he had never had an accident. 0n the day in question Middleton commenced work at 11 am. and did a full day‘s work and had no tea. Just. before going to town he had one glass of whisky and two glasses of beer. He 'was in a poor state or health and it seemed that he was in a state or health in which drink had a serious eiteot. Middleton had endeavoured to pass the tram before it stopped and it seemed he committed a very, grave error of Judgment. “A Very Bad Case." “ it seems to the Court. that these cases an“ steadily forcing a position in which legislation will have to be passed remminr,“ any chance of fines in these maiters,“ said the Magistrate. Mr Levvey, in imposin;r the fine. “If a man takes liquor .md commits an aggrmaird assault for some reason or other there is no option. but these‘ cases seem in n i‘ategot'} by them-i selves. Why, Ido not know. { “Very shortly the Court will have to treat these matters with t no option, but I do not wish to have to take this stand yet. Thla i la really a very bad case and one ‘ finds difiiculty in adjusting the penalty to the gravlty of the offence." l -——-- i