Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 21 October 1939

Lorry Out Of Control

Driver’s Explanation in Darfield Case

Walter DeFriend, a London motor lorry driver, was fined 40s. and ordered to pay £4 8s. 6d costs at Barnsley on Wednesday for driving a motor lorry without due care and attention at Darfield on August 20th.

Supt. H. P. Varley said a summons of driving a lorry in a manner dangerous to the public had been adjourned three times.

On the first occasion DeFriend did not appear and a letter was received the following day asking for an adjournment because DeFriend was on national emergency work. The case was adjourned and witnesses attended a second time but DeFriend did not appear. The case was adjourned a third time and DeFriend sent a letter again saying he was unable to attend because he was on work of national importance. It was impossible to proceed in his absence and the case had been withdrawn and the summons reduced to one of driving without due care and attention. Now DeFriend had sent another letter appreciating the reduction of the charge and asking for the case to be proceeded with.

Supt. Varley said a warrant had been issued for his arrest on the driving in a manner dangerous to the public but he must now ask for that to be withdrawn and he offered no evidence on that charge

Outlining the circumstances of the case, Supt. Varley said Harry Revill, a chauffeur of The Rectory, Darfield, was approaching the Bridge Inn at Darfield, when defendant was driving a lorry with about six tons of paper down the hill. Defendant ran on the kerb, diverted to his right, crossed the road, struck the kerb, and crossed the road again, causing Revill to go onto the causeway to avoid the lorry. Revill turned round and followed the lorry for about a mile and overtook the vehicle. When DeFriend was asked why he had been driving in such a manner he said he had lost control of the lorry going down the hill. He also said he was sorry and added that he was solely to blame.

Revill then handed him over to P.c. Redgwick and in a statement to the officer DeFriend admitted he was at fault.

There was no accident, the Superintendent added but had it not been for Revill going on to the footpath without a doubt his car would have been smashed up and things would have been serious.

In view of DeFriend’s plea, and the expenses already incurred he had refrained from bringing witnesses other than the police officer to Court.

P.c. Redgwick said DeFriend told him that he appreciated Revill driving on the footpath and he expressed his sorrow for any inconvenience he might have caused the other driver.

Imposing the penalty, the Chairman, Mr. G. H. Norton, said DeFriend was lucky to get off as he was doing.