A driver who failed to stop after colliding with a moped rider at an east Ipswich crossroads has had his licence endorsed with seven penalty points.

Damien Morling, of Stamford Close, Ipswich, must also pay more than £600 in fines and costs.

The 33-year-old pleaded guilty at South East Magistrates’ Court to careless driving and failing to stop after an accident.

Prosecutor Tess Mann said the offence occurred at around 9.20pm on December 14.

As the moped rider was travelling along Clapgate Lane Morling’s Renault Megane collided with it when it crossed the junction with Landseer Road.

The rider was knocked off his bike and sustained concussion and minor injuries.

The court heard a witness said as Morling approached the traffic lights at the junction he hesitated at a red light, but then continued on.

After the collision he appeared to hesitate before carrying on along Landseer Road.

John Hughes, representing Morling, said his client conceded the possibility he went through an amber light, but did not go through a red one.

At the time Morling was on his way to pick up his daughter from a dance class.

He slowed down to see if there was a space in a car park, but there was not so he moved on.

The moped then collided with the rear of the Renault.

Mr Hughes said Morling thought he had hit a pothole and got a puncture.

He pulled over, saw the deflated tyre and believed that was the cause of the bang.

Morling moved the car to a safe place to change the wheel.

Mr Hughes said his client did not realise there had been a collision.

In addition to endorsing Morling’s licence magistrates fined him a total of £495. He must also pay £85 costs and £37 to the victims’ fund.