Left scene after crash into wall

A MOTORIST who left the scene of an accident where he collided with a garden wall after skidding on ice, has had his licence endorsed with five penalty points.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Oct 2010, 12:08 BST
Updated 25th Oct 2010, 13:59 BST

Darren Joseph O’Boyle (31), of Killygore Road, Rathkenny, admitted charges of failing to report an accident and failing to remain at the scene, when he appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court.

The court was told that O’Boyle’s vehicle collided with the garden wall of a house on December 20 last year.

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He told police the reason he did not remain at the scene was because he was in a rush to feed his horses and because he did not want a confrontation with the injured party.

Solicitor Stewart Ballentine said the incident had taken place on the first morning of last winter’s heavy snowfall and that the defendant’s vehicle had skidded on a sheet of ice while travelling at a low speed.

The solicitor said the injured party had claimed for the damage caused from O’Boyle’s insurer, resulting in the defendant’s premium doubling in price.

As well as the penalty points, District Judge Des Perry also imposed absolute discharges on the two charges rather than monetary penalties, adding: “I think he has already been financially penalised enough.”