(Image: The Northern Echo)
A tree surgeon caused hundreds of pounds of damage when he clipped a pillar while turning his car around outside Durham Railway Station, a court heard.
Thomas Pearson’s Toyota struck an electrical box fixed to the pillar, smashing it and causing several hundred pounds of damage.
Peterlee magistrates heard that Pearson drove away without reporting the collision or damage, on May 8 this year.
Prosecutor Paul Anderson said rail staff reported the incident to police, who traced Pearson as the car’s registered keeper.
Mr Anderson told the court that Pearson admitted he was driving, and insurance covered the “£700-odd” repair bill.
Thomas Pearson reversed into a pillar containing an electrical box which smashed as he was turning his car around outside Durham Rail Station
Pearson, 24, of St Aidan’s Terrace, Trimdon Station, admitted failing to report the accident to police as soon as was reasonably practicable or within 24 hours.
Emily Baker Harrington, for Pearson, said he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
She told the court it was “nothing more than bad luck” that Pearson smashed the electrical box.
“It was tucked away in a steel pillar, so just how he’s hit it, I don’t know.
“He accepts he must have reversed into it, and it seemed something of a minor incident.
“He saw he had hit the pillar and did not report it, and he was not aware he hit the box.
“Had he been aware at the time, he would naturally have done so.”
Miss Baker Harrington said Pearson had no previous convictions and knew the penalty points could put him closer to a future driving disqualification.
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"So, he will have that hanging over his head,” she added.
Pearson was fined £123 and was ordered to pay a £49 court surcharge and £85 costs, taking the total bill to £257.
The magistrates also issued him with five penalty points on his driving licence.