AN HGV driver has been ordered to pay almost £500 in fines and costs by magistrates after hitting a parked car in Settle and failing to report it.

Mark Knights, 47, was reversing a tractor unit and trailer into a yard on the Sowarth Industrial Estate on September 19 when he hit a parked Audi A6, Skipton magistrates heard on Friday.

He later told police that he believed he had made contact with the Audi, but not done any damage, although he had not actually got out to check.

The owner of the car had parked it at the start of the day and on returning later found it had been moved a few feet and there was a gouge in one of its wings.

In mitigation, John Mewies pointed out there had been no claim on Knight's employer's insurance. He added the entrance into the yard was very tight and where the Audi had been parked had left little room.

He said Knights had been on his way back from taking the tractor unit and trailer to a testing station and had inadvertently made contact with the car while reversing in.

Knights had a clean driving licence and was an experienced HGV driver who had been faced with a difficult situation with a closely parked car.

Knights, of Kings Mill Lane, Settle, admitted being the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident and failing to report it. He was fined £370 and his licence endorsed with seven penalty points. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victims surcharge of £37.