Burton Observer & Chronicle 14 Jul 1938

Sutton Motoring Incident
Newsagent Summoned

A Shirley (near Ashbourne) newsagent, who was alleged to have told a police officer "I have had a lot to drink," when he called with his daily newspaper was before Hatton magistrates on Tuesday alleged to have driven his motor-car while under the influence of drink to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the car at Church Broughton Lane, Sutton-on-the-Hill, on June 21st. The defendant was Cyprus Wilfred Nevill (49), newsagent, of Mill Lane, Shirley.
   Mr. R. J. H. Cleaver prosecuted for the police, and called Dr. J. N. Gale, of Tutbury, who examined Nevill, and formed the opinion he was fit to drive a car, but this was an hour after the constable first saw him.
   During the test by the doctor Nevill wrote his name on a piece of paper. He repeated words and told the time accurately. He was able to pick up two pins from the floor.
   Answering the Chairman (Captain G. M. Buckston), the doctor said he would have allowed Nevill to drive him on his round.
   Earnest Goodwin, a farm worker of Sutton-on-the-Hill, said that when Nevill delivered his newspaper he said "I have been celebrating my birthday."

Constable's Story

Police constable Hall said Nevill called at his house to deliver papers and also to complain about an article missing from his car.
   The constable, who said his papers were usually delivered from 11 to 11.20 in a morning, but on this day it was 2 p.m., noticed Nevill was unsteady when he walked. When the officer told him of this, he is alleged to have replied: "I have had a lot to drink."
   Mr. Leslie Hale, defending, and pleading "not guilty," said there was no evidence given by the prosecution to say Nevill drove his car under the influence of drink.
   Nevill, on oath, said he had been driving for 15 years without complaint or accident. He delivered papers around the villages and on this day was late at Sutton owing to a puncture.
   He said he had three glasses of beer that day, and this was corroborated by Mrs. Worthington, licensee of The Cheetham Arms, Sutton.
   The magistrates retired before giving their decision, which was to give Nevill the benefit of the doubt and the case would be dismissed.