A Dangerous Practice: Motorist Fined at Newton: At Newton Abbot Police Court on Tuesday before Mr. J. C. Chapman (in chair), William Parkhurst, 18, Torquay-road, pleaded not guilty to driving a motorcycle to the danger of the public in the Torquay Road, on May 9th. Eric Ross Foster, clerk, Exeter, stated that at 11.30 a.m. on the day in question he was driving his motorcycle towards Torquay, and was passing a trap going in the opposite direction when another motorcycle cut in between. Witness’s handlebar was struck, his glove being torn, and his knuckles grazed. The other vehicle, which was proceeding at a speed of about 18 miles an hour, did not stop. Donald Pinsent and Bernard C. H. Wakefield, both of Newton Abbot, gave evidence, identifying Parkhurst as the motorcyclist. Defendant said he did not see the oncoming motorcycle until he endeavoured to pass the trap and then it was impossible to stop in time. He considered that he was properly complying with the rules of the road and would have stopped had he been aware that the other motorcyclist was struck. The Bench considered the practice a dangerous one and imposed a fine of £1 with costs.
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Referenced
GRO0174 Devonport: Donovan Henry Douglas Pinsent: 1901 – 1980