Crash blamed on mystery driver

Stuart Barber, 44, of Spring Hill, Northiam, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to give police information as requires, when he appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court last week.

Jeremy King, prosecuting, said: “This happened on January 11 at 6pm on the A268 road at Peasmarsh.

“A blue Honda left the road and crashed into fencing.

“Barber was seen by a witness to get out of the driver’s seat. He left the scene and his registration was reported.

“When interviewed by police he told them he was a passenger and refused to give the identity of the driver, saying that the driver was doing him a favour by taking him home after he had birthday drinks at the Green Owl pub in Camber.”

Ros Crook, defending, said: “He originally said he was not driving as he was scared and embarrassed about the whole incident.

“It was a difficult bend where he lost control, there have been accidents there before.

“He did not have a phone on him and he walked off to get help.

“He works for a hire company and he will lose his job as a result of this.”

A district judge told Barber: “There are serious offences, particularly refusing to provide information.”

He was fined £250 and given six points on his licence and was banned for six months under the points totting up procedure.