Western Morning News: Tuesday 6th July 1926

“Cutting In”: Paignton Motor Cyclist Fined at Torquay: Torquay Justices imposed a penalty of 40s, with £3 10s costs, and ordered defendant’s licence to be endorsed, when Gerald Swann (sic) Pincent, of Woolcot, Morin-road, Paignton, appeared before them yesterday charged with driving a motorcycle to the danger of the public in the Torbay-road, Torquay, on June 21st. He knocked down Baroness Van der Weiss, a Dutch visitor to Torquay, who, with her husband, appeared from in front of a motor car in crossing the road to catch a tramcar. Mr. J. H. S. Easterbrook appeared for the defendant, who pleaded “Not guilty.” Ernest Price, a chauffeur, told the Justices that he was driving a six-seater car in the Torbay-road. At the Belgrave-road crossing he saw a lady and gentleman on his near side. The tramcar was slowing up for them. It eventually stopped and they attempted to board it. Witness signalled to any traffic behind him to ease up. By means of his reflector he saw the motorcycle approaching from the rear. It was ridden by the defendant. It passed between the vehicle Witness was driving and the tram. Defendant struck the lady. Defendant made a mistake in cutting between the two vehicles. Pincent said it was his employer’s motorcycle he was driving. As he got level with the motor car a lady and gentleman walked out in front of him and he, the defendant, after striking the lady, hit the tramcar, which was travelling slowly, and was only pulled up after the impact. He blew his horn and was able to pull up in about two yards. Defendant said he was travelling at from 12 to 15 miles per hour.


Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.


Referenced

GRO0366 Devonport: Gerald Swain Pinsent: 1904 – 1993