Left scene after crash into wall
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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Hide AdHe 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.”