Dover Express 4th May 1945.

The Wingham Petty Sessions were held at Dover on Thursday before Viscount Hawarden, Major S. E. Allen, Messrs E. T. Lambert and T. G. Elphinston and Mrs. Crookenden.

CRASHED INTO WALL.

Thomas Nadin, Elms Vale Road, Dover, was charged with driving a Naval lorry while under the influence of drink at Chapel Farm Road, Tilmanstone, on 17th March. He was also charged with dangerous driving.

He pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Eric Weale prosecuted and said that the prosecution was suffering under a handicap in that the chief statements were taken by the late P/Sgt Doyle.

Mrs. E. L. Webb, formerly licensee of the “Rice Arms”, Tilmanstone, said that four people, including defendant, went into the bar at about 1.45 p.m. on March 17th and each had two gins and one brown ale.

Dr. C. S. Wise, Sandwich, gave evidence that he saw defendant at 2.40 p.m. and certified him as being under the influence of alcohol to such an extent that he was not fit to be in control of a motor vehicle.

In reply to defendant, witness said that it was possible that defendant would suffer from giddiness if he had chronic mastoiditis.

Replying to Mr. Weale, witness said that, knowing defendant’s complaint, he still considered he was under the influence of drink.

Anthony Dogan, “Forge House”, Tilmanstone, said that defendant’s lorry passed him. The gears were being crashed and, just afterwards, the lorry hit a wall at Chapel Farm. There was no other vehicle on the road.

William Simmonds, “Star Cottage”, Tilmanstone, said that he went to the scene of the accident and defendant and three passengers appeared to have been drinking. Defendant attempted to back the lorry, but put the gears into advance instead of reverse.

In reply to defendant, witness agreed that defendant also tried the lorry in reverse.

PC Waite said that the lorry had mounted a wall which was 2ft 10ins high.

In reply to defendant, witness said that the only damage to the lorry was that the near-side front wing was dented.

P/Sgt. Ward, who saw defendant at Sandwich Police Station, said that his face was flushed and he appeared to be under the influence of drink. Defendant fell asleep on three occasions while details of the charge were being taken. He fell asleep again after being charged.

Defendant, giving evidence, said that he had had a drink but was not drunk. After stooping and looking after the lorry, he felt giddy and ill because of his mastoid. The cause of the accident was a small car coming round the bend and he went into the wall to avoid hitting it. He had been driving for 18 years and that was his first accident. He drove for the East Kent before the war and then joined the army and was discharged because of a chronic mastoid after coming back from Dunkirk.

In reply to Mr. Weale, witness said he had only one glass of beer at Ramsgate.

S/Lt Stanley Robert Durdin said that the only damage to the lorry was the near side front wing and that was only light.

Walter Francis Heal, 53 Eaton Road, Dover, who was in the front of the lorry, said that he saw a small car as they were going round the bend.

Fined £5 on each charge, £4 3s costs and licence suspended for 12 months.