Crash left Jarrow driver more than £2,000 out of pocket

Steven James Hogg, 33, of Jarrow’s Verdun Avenue, pleaded guilty to failing to report an accident when he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Kirsty Devine, prosecuting, said witnesses saw an Audi A4 crash into the island in the town’s Hill Street, at around 7pm on October 27.

One witness went to see if Hogg was ok and he said he was, but the car wasn’t.

Ms Devine said he told the witness he was going to call the AA but it wasn’t until November 8 that Hogg went to the police about the accident.

Geoffrey Forrester, defending, said: “Part of the reason for the delay in reporting this was he was working away.”

Hogg was fined £1,850 and ordered to pay a £180 surcharge and £85 costs. He was banned from driving for four months.