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Somerset County Herald Saturday 30 Aug 1958
Page 5 Column 7
Drove on After Accident
Bridgwater Man Was “Frightened”
Acquitted of Drink Charge
A partner in a local building firm, who said he drove on after a collision with another car because he was frightened, was found not guilty of driving whilst under the influence of drink at Bridgwater Borough Magistrates' Court on Monday.
James STANDERWICK (53), Kingscliffe Bungalow, Taunton-road, Bridgwater, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was defended by Mr. P. B. ROBERTS. He admitted failing to stop after an accident, for which he was fined £5 and ordered to pay £5 17s 10d witnesses' expenses and £2 2s advocate's fee.
Mr. R. G. ASH, prosecuting, said Anthony JONES, Falmouth, was driving his three-wheel car in Taunton-road. STANDERWICK was following a short distance behind. Just inside the 30 m.p.h. limit Mr. JONES felt a collision at the rear of his vehicle. STANDERWICK ignored his signal to stop, and pulled out, continuing on towards the town with Mr. JONES following.
Pulled Across Road
Mr. JONES overtook and again signalled for defendant to stop, but as he did not take any notice Mr. JONES pulled his vehicle partly across the road, and STANDERWICK stopped. Mr. JONES went to the other vehicle, and he asked STANDERWICK several questions, but first he did not reply, and then mumbled something quite unintelligible.
Mr. JONES then opened the door of STANDERWICK's car and removed the ignition key. STANDERWICK remained seated in the driving seat, and just looked blankly. Mr. JONES went to the Eastover traffic lights and asked for the assistance of P.C. REYNOLDS.
The constable spoke to STANDERWICK, but neither he nor Mr. JONES could understand his mumbled replies. STANDERWICK was asked to get out of his car, which he did, but seemed unsteady on his feet. P.S. COPE arrived on the scene, and STANDERWICK was taken to the police station.
“Not That Bad”
After an examination Dr. W. SINTON was satisfied that defendant was under the influence of drink and unable to have proper control of his car. When charged he replied, “No, I was not that bad, sir. I did have a few drinks, but it's not as bad as all that.”
In evidence, Mr. JONES said the collision had partly knocked his “bubble” car off its course, and had caused damage estimated by a local garage at between £50 and £60.
Dr. SINTON, Castle Bailey, Bridgwater, said defendant told him he had been to the Green Dragon Inn and Thurloxton, and had two stouts and a brandy and soda. His speech was slurred, his gait unsteady, and his breath smelt of alcohol.
Cross-examined by Mr. ROBERTS, witness agreed that defendant had probably suffered from a certain amount of illness in the past, and that he had an unhealthy heart.
P.C. REYNOLDS said STANDERWICK seemed dazed while in the car.
At the police station defendant said, “He pulled out and I just grazed him. I had a job to avoid it; it is not serious. I just had a drink, that is all.”
The Defence
On oath, STANDERWICK said that after liberating some racing pigeons he went to the Green Dragon, where he had two pints of mixed stout and beer, half a pint of beer, one small brandy and soda and one small whisky and soda. When the collision occurred it frightened him, and he panicked and went on. The alcohol had had no adverse effect on him as he was fairly used to having a drink. Apart from one conviction for speeding in 1938 he had a clean driving record for 35 years.
Dr. J. S. SYMONS, Taunton-road, Bridgwater, said he had treated STANDERWICK four years ago, when he was away from work for three months with nervous debility. He was in a very nervous state, and an insurance company would not grant him a life insurance because of his blood pressure.
Mrs. Ethel Irene DAVEY, wife of the licensee of the Green Dragon, Thurloxton, said she was serving in the bar and STANDERWICK had seemed quite normal, and fit to drive a car when he left.
Ernest Charles WILKINS, Tappers-lane, North Petherton, and Charles ADAMS, West View, Thurloxton, who had been in the Green Dragon with STANDERWICK, both confirmed that he had been quite normal when he left the public house.