[FULL , BENCH.]

Present : Bertram C.J. and Ennis and De Sampayo JJ.

THE KING v. AMAN

219-D. C. (Crim.) Badulla 4,768.

Joinder of charges-Running amuck-Stabbing two persons-Criminal Procedure Code, s. 180.

The accused, who was drunk, bad an altercation with A, and stabbed him. Then he rushed along a crowded street, and about 30 yards off, seeing E, with whom he had an altercation the previous day, reminded him of the occurrence, and stabbed him also.

Held, that in the circumstances of this case the two acts were so connected together as to form the same transaction under section 180 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and he could be properly tried on one indictment.

BERTRAM C.J.-" The word ' transaction ' is sufficiently general to cover the case of a man who is reduced to a state of temporary frenzy by drunkenness or drugs, and in pursuance of the condition so generated runs along a street and commits a series of offences, sometimes inspired by one motive and sometimes by another, against persons with whom he comes face to face. "

THE facts appear from the judgment.

A. St. V. Jayawardene, for the appellant.

Garvin, S.-G. (with him Jansz, C.