A CHARD motorist who admitted failing to report a crash which caused £4,000 worth of damage to a parked car was ordered to pay a total of £371 at Taunton Magistrates Court on Thursday (July 16).

Artur Przemyslaw Deptula, of Crowshute, was fined £260 and told to pay £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

The court heard that Deptula, 27, was driving a Nissan Primera along Fore Street, Chard, towards Crowshute Link, on December 20 last year when a witness heard a loud screeching noise from the car.

They saw the car driving close to the kerb and then veer suddenly to the right as if it had hit something.

Deptula then pulled into Sainsbury’s car park to change a tyre with the help of his passengers. Another witness said the front near-side wheel was locked and there was damage to the bumper and nearside wing.

Police investigations revealed a Honda Civic had received damage costing £4,000 to repair while a Volkswagon suffered superficial damage.

Deptula told the court he failed to report the accident because he doesn’t speak much English and didn’t know where to go. He received eight penalty points on his licence.

Deptula also pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention but received no separate penalty.