PRISON SENTENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21590, 28 November 1941, Page 6

PRISON SENTENCE

INTOXICATED MOTORIST DRIVER’S LICENSE CANCELLED A sentence of seven days’limprisonment was imposed on Richard Joshua Donovan, motor mechanic, aged 32, married, Frankton, by Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, today. Donovan was charged with being intoxicated while in charge of a c%r in Massey Street, P’rankton, on November 22.

Senior-Sergeant A. G. McHugh prosecuted and Mr N. S. Johnson appeared for Donovan. A plea of not guilty was amended to one of guilty after Constable E. G. Jensen nad given evidence, and in view of the medical certificate.

The police evidence showed that Donovan was seen at 12.15 a.m. coming from a house to go to his car. Plis condition was such that he was warned not to drive the vehicle, and some friends took him along the street. Later he returned and was sitting in the car with a woman friend, who told the police she intended to drive Donovan home.

Senior - Sergeant McHugh said Donovan had been fined £lO the previous day for being concerned in a collision.

Mr Johnson pleaded for leniency, pointing out that cancellation of Donovan’s driving license would probably mean the end of his business. Donovan had taken out a prohibition order. A fine, with terms of probation, was suggested as the penalty. The magistrate said a prohibition order did not seem to be of much use. If the constable had not interfered Donovan might have become involved in a serious accident. Sentence of seven days’ imprisonment was imposed, with cancellation of the driving license, and no further license is to be issued before June 1, 1943.