CANNOT DRIVE UNTIL HE IS 92
For the next decade, 82-year-old David Deacon of Birches Lane will have to forego one of his main interests in his long life – driving. He was banned for that period by the court and in addition to his disqualification, the defendant was fined a total of £14 and had his licence endorsed.
12 months ago, Coventry Magistrates ordered him to pack-up motoring until he had passed a driving test. Because of that ruling, Mr Deacon continued his driving but only around his own driveway. But on May 15th his round-the-house enjoyment was threatened when the car was running low of petrol. Temptation to obtain a refill proved stronger than discretion, and on to the road he went. On the way to the garage, only a mile away, he had a number of near misses. This resulted in him being charged with four offences. He pleaded quilty to driving in a manner dangerous to the public, driving a car unaccompanied by a competent driver, when the holder of only a provisional licence, not displaying L-plates and driving when disqualified.
In court, he was represented by Mr David Sergeantson, who said; “This is not a case of a man driving dangerously along the road, in Coventry last year, Mr Deacon was disqualified until he took another test, and that detered him”. Inspector Albert Cox said that as far as the police are concerned, the proceedings at court were not brought to impose a heavy fine but to determine whether or not Mr Deacon should continue to drive.
When Mr Deacon left home on May 15th to buy petrol, he travelled along Birches Lane at about 10 to 15 m.p.h, swerving from side to side. He was followed by two cars, the drivers of which were afraid to overtake him because of Deacon’s erratic ‘driving’. A little girl on a bike near to Thickthorn Close had to jump clear of the car before she was run-over. The car stalled in Moseley Road causing following vehicles to brake suddenly. One of them tried to get round him but Deacon had, by then, re-started the car and started to moved off. This almost caused a collision.
The accused, the Inspector said, continued along Moseley Road intending to turn left into Thornby Avenue. Here he nearly collided with a motor-bike, who had to slow down. Mr Sergeantson said that Mr Deacon first had a motor cycle in 1911, and had been driving cars for 40 years. Of the offences, he said that Mr Deacon was; “An old man out on the road, who was not really aware of what he was doing”.
It was explained that for his dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified, a prison sentence could have been imposed. But, Mr. W. Maddocks, presiding, said; “We have decided not to send him to prison at his age but to disqualify him from driving for ten years, the fines are only nominal“.