A BREAKDOWN recovery driver who ran a car off the road at Plough Hill last September has had his licence endorsed with seven points for failing to stop at the scene.

Justin Hunt, 28, of Coronation Road, Wroughton, was on shift in a blue Sprinter van on the Junction 15 roundabout when he suddenly switched lanes without warning, forcing a Peugeot car off the road and into the crash barrier.

Swindon magistrates heard on Wednesday how Hunt had seen the crash, but did not stop because he didn’t believe it was his fault.

The Peugeot driver escaped uninjured, but the front of his car was wrecked.

Hunt admitted failing to stop at the scene of the accident and driving without due care and attention. Another charge of failing to report the incident was withdrawn.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, told the court: “There is a witness statement from a motorist who on September 24 is at the roundabout at Junction 15 travelling westbound.

“He says he was 10 metres behind the incident, and is following a blue van being driven by Mr Hunt.

“The van and car stopped at the traffic lights, which then turned green. They then both went westbound in two lanes towards Bristol.

“The blue van went into the inside lane to avoid a line of stationary traffic, and from there into the outside lane, forcing the other car into the barrier.

“He says the driver of the blue van seemed to be in a hurry and moved lanes on the roundabout to avoid traffic, without signalling and without warning, which forced the car in the next lane into evasive action. The car had mounted the barrier and the front end of the Peugeot was very damaged.

“The injured party says that the road in front of him was clear, so he moved level with the van before changing his mind and dropping back, before being run off the road and into the barrier. There were no injuries, but there was damage to the vehicle, which will be dealt with in the civil courts.”

Linda Holmes, defending, said: “He has now accepted his changing lane led to what happened to the other vehicle. He drives all the time, and he works in breakdown for a truck tyre firm.

“It is only when he read the papers that he realised what he did caused the man to go into the barrier.

"He was doing his job and saw the car going into the barrier, but did not report the incident because he did not think it was anything to do with him.”

Hunt was also fined £500 with £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.