A GARAGE worker who a gave false name at the scene of a car crash was eventually traced through Facebook, court was told.

Paul Robinson, 34, drove into the back of another vehicle on A167, in Chester-le-Street. He pleaded guilty at Peterlee Magistrates Court to careless driving and failing to give his name and address on January 2.

While Robinson had given a false name and address, the driver of the other car had taken down the name of his firm from the uniform he was wearing and used Facebook to identify him, the court was told.

Paul Donoghue, mitigating, said Robinson was a new driver and had panicked in the unfounded belief that his licence would be at risk, because of the accident.

He added: “The woman has taken the correct registration number of his car, which makes giving a false name a little pointless.”

Passing sentence, district judge Martin Walker said: “He did come clean (when he was arrested).

“I accept it was done in panic and the damage to the other vehicle was minor.”

Robinson of Cedar Court, Catchgate, Stanley, had his licence endorsed with five points and he was to pay £300 in fines and costs.