A MOTORIST failed to see a scooter on a mini-roundabout, knocking the rider to the ground before driving off, Skipton magistrates were told.

Probationary driver Joel Scoffield, 25, just "failed to see" Douglas Hall on his Piaggio scooter on the A6068 mini-roundabout in Glusburn, at 4.30pm on December 8.

Despite feeling a bump, he drove off in his Fiat Punto without stopping, the court heard. He was traced after someone saw the collision and took a note of his registration number.

When interviewed by police, Scoffield said visibility had been poor at the time and it had been pouring with rain. He had not seen the bike, he had felt a bump, but he had checked in his mirror, seen nothing, so had carried on driving, said prosecutor Martin Butterworth.

Scoffield, a man of previous good character, admitted failing to stop after an accident and driving without due care and attention.

The court heard in mitigation that he was a probationary driver who had passed his test less than two years ago. Both vehicles had been moving slowly and there had been minor injury to the scooter rider.

Scoffield was a university graduate employed in the procurement industry and worked hard.

He had just 'not seen the scooter' and had wrongly driven off without stopping.

Scoffield, of Crescent Court Apartments, Ilkley, had his licence endorsed with five penalty points and was fined £215 with costs of £85 and a surcharge of £21.