A LONG Preston man who left his car after hitting a drystone wall near Settle has been ordered to pay £228 in fines and costs by Skipton magistrates.

Benedict Dugdale, 33, left his Ford Ranger at the side of the B6480 Skipton Road in the early hours of April 28, and got a passing taxi to take him to his sister's house, the court heard last Friday.

The court heard that police had been alerted after ambulance staff had come across the car at the side of the road, with no driver.

Dugdale was traced as the registered keeper of the vehicle, and told police he had lost control on a bend, that the car was off the road, and he had left in a passing taxi.

Dugdale, a man of previous good character, admitted failing to report an accident.

The court heard in mitigation he had bumped his head in the collision and had accepted the offer of help from a taxi driver. He had not thought to contact the police, as he had believed his car was off the road, and not obstructing anyone.

Dugdale, of Main Street, Long Preston, was fined £113 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £30. His licence will be endorsed with five penalty points.