A DRINK driver who crashed his car and then fled the scene has been fined.

Andrew Ryder, 38, was tracked down by officers after crashing his Peugeot 206 into a stationary Mitsubishi Outlander in Newton Aycliffe on February 7.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates heard how the owner of the damaged car was still in the vehicle.

John Garside, prosecuting, said Ryder was arrested at home, and had 58 micrograms of alcohol in his breath. Callum Terry, mitigating, said his client, of Henderson Road, Newton Aycliffe, felt fit to drive and fled the scene “in a state of panic”.

He admitted drink driving and leaving the scene of an accident, and was fined £459 and banned for 16 months.