An 80-year-old driver failed to stop after crashing into another car because he thought he had hit a kerb.

Christopher Hale had turned into Sneckyeat Industrial Estate in Whitehaven by mistake while trying to get to West Cumberland Hospital for an appointment on June 7, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

The victim had finished work and was leaving the car park on the industrial estate, when she noticed Hale’s Ford Focus stationary on the one-way junction. He had then set off towards the side of her vehicle.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the woman used her horn to get Hale to stop but the car continued and struck her vehicle. She slammed her brakes on but Hale didn’t stop or react. He reversed and drove away, the court heard.

Hale was later identified as the driver of the vehicle. He said he didn’t see the car and thought he had hit the kerb. He said he should have been “more attentive”.

The defendant couldn’t recall the details of the vehicle involved as he didn’t see it. He said he didn’t hear the driver sound her horn.

He had an appointment at the West Cumberland Hospital and had driven past the entrance. He had turned into the Sneckyeat Industrial Estate which he had never been on. He then went back to hospital and parked in a disabled bay, the court was told.

Hale said he rarely drives and found himself in an “unusual situation” on the industrial estate. He had renewed his licence last year.

Simon Ward, defending, said “He is 80 years old. It’s with some foreboding he has come to court today. He has never troubled the court before.

“He is ashamed to be here. He expresses his good wishes to the lady whose car he struck.

“He was running a little bit late. He knew where to go but there was a lot of building work which threw him.

“He travelled past the hospital and turned right at Sneckyeat Industrial Estate. He was turning round when coming out of the junction.

“In his anxiety to get to the hospital he carried on and parked up.

“He is very sorry for what has happened. He is a retired history and humanities teacher. He has a blue badge. He has mobility issues. He rarely drives now.”

Hale, of Pallaflat House, Bigrigg, Egremont, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road accident, driving without due care and attention and being the driver of a vehicle involved in a road accident and failing to report that accident.

He was fined £601 and must pay £85 costs and a £240 victim surcharge.

Six points were added to his driving licence for the failure to stop.

After being sentenced, Hale said: “I just want to thank the court for their time and promise to learn from the errors of my ways.”

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