A NEW driver has lost his licence after pleading guilty to driving without due care and failing to stop after an accident.

David Scholes, 22, of South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, appeared at Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard that in September last year, just weeks after passing his driving test, Scholes was driving along the A68 at Witton-le-Wear when he decided to overtake slow moving cars.

He saw a car coming towards him so pulled back into the traffic on the right side of the road before continuing on his journey.

The court heard that Scholes' manoeuvre had caused a car to break suddenly and motorcyclist Anthony Mcauley drove into the back of it.

He was thrown from the bike and sustained various injuries which mean he can not use his left hand properly, has no feeling in his knee and can never ride a motorbike again.

The court heard that Scholes' friends, who were in a car behind him, stopped at the scene and later rang to tell him what happened. He then reported the incident at a police station.

Chris Bunting, for Scholes, said that although he accepted responsibility for the accident, Mr Mcauley's injuries would not have been so bad if he had not been driving his motorbike so close to the car in front.

He said: "Mr Scholes didn't realise there had been an accident and when his friends rang him he did not believe them at first. He then went to the police station. The accident was the result of a piece of inattention from an inexperienced driver."

Scholes was fined £150 and given five points for careless driving and a £150 fine and nine points for failing to stop with the points running concurrently.

He was also ordered to pay £55 costs and had his licence revoked