Illness Not "Special Circumstance"
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A LTHOUGH the prosecution agreed r-1 that there were mitigating circumstances, a Perthshire lorry driver was last week disqualified for a year for driving under the influence of drink or drugs. Cannock magistrates rejected. a plea by Mr. Ivan Geffe, defending, that because the man was ill there were "special circumstances," which meant that suspension of his licence could be waived.
John Stewart Ross, Eastfield, Forganderry, was fined £15 with £23 6s. costs, after pleading guilty. He was also fined £1 for not keeping proper records, and was ordered to forfeit half his £10 bail for failing to appear on three previous occasions.
Mr. A. H. Gregory, prosecuting, said when Ross was examined by a doctor, after his lorry had been stopped by the police, it was found that he was under the influence of drink, drugs and, perhaps, influenza."
Ross told the court that he worked for his father, who was a haulier. The night before the offence he had slept in the cab of his lorry, and when he awoke he was suffering from influenza. During the day he took 10 aspirin tablets and two influenza powders. He also had four whiskies.
Mr. Geffe pointed out that the whisky had been drunk as a cure for Ross' illness, so this fell within the " special circumstances" provided for by law.
Disqualifying Ross, the chairman said he should have known it was unwise to drink. The magistrates could not overlook it, although they had every sympathy with him.
SWAMPED BY DEMAND FOR MEAT HAULAGE
WITH 130 butchers relying on their services, A. N. Childs and Rhodes, Bradford, were being swamped with inquiries for meat haulage, and could not cope with the demand. This was stated at Leeds. last week, when the Yorkshire Deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. J. H. E. Randolph, granted the concern an extra vehicle to carry meat within 10 miles of Bradford and from Barnsley to Bradford.
The applicants said they acquired the business in 1956. and since then earnings had gone tits from £30 to £100 a week. They carried meat from the abattoir to shops in Bradford, but sometimes they had been asked to fetch meat from an abattoir at Barnsley. This was because no slaughtering was allowed in Bradford on Sundays.
OBITUARY
WE regret to record the deaths of MR. WALTER M. M ATTHF.WS and MR. C. SLYMON.
Mr. Matthews was transport manager of Middlesbrough Co-operative Society. He was 52
Mr. Slymon was sales manager of the friction materials (automotive) division of Small and Parkes. Ltd., whom he joined in 19251