Driver escapes ban after accident
MECHANIC Stuart Hedley escaped a driving ban despite hitting another car and driving off.Hedley, 21, of Heathfields, Trimley St Martin, admitted failing to stop after an accident on September 6, 2003.
MECHANIC Stuart Hedley escaped a driving ban despite hitting another car and driving off.
Hedley, 21, of Heathfields, Trimley St Martin, admitted failing to stop after an accident on September 6, 2003.
Godfried Duah, prosecuting, told South East Suffolk Magistrates Court that Pauline Furlong was driving at 8.15pm at Candlet Road, Felixstowe.
She tried to overtake a vehicle but Hedley, who was driving in a car behind her, also tried the same manoeuvre and went into the side of Ms Furlong.
However, he did not stop and she wrote down his registration number plate and reported him to the police.
The collision had caused damage to the woman's rear passenger side door.
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Andrew Riley, mitigating, said the accident was not totally Hedley's fault but he should have stopped after it happened.
Mr Riley said: "He passed his driving test when he was 19 and has been driving uneventfully since then. This was his first accident and he had occurred no criminal penalties in relation to driving.
"He was driving at about 25 miles per hour and alcohol was not involved in this offence.
"He should have stopped but panicked and drove away.
"It might be debatable where the fault for the accident lies but he is very sorry and wishes to convey his apologies to the court."
Mr Riley added that Hedley needed a licence as he travels up to 15,000 miles a year working as a mechanic in Ipswich.
Bench chairwoman Wendy Tolliday fined Hedley £200, endorsed his driving licence with six points and ordered him to pay £70 prosecution costs.
