A LEARNER driver who crashed into another car ran off after checking the woman motorist was all right.

Blackburn magistrates heard that provisional-licence holder Rizwan Khan Iqbal was eventually traced through DNA found on the airbag of the car he had been driving.

Iqbal, 28, of Winston Road, Blackburn, was convicted in his absence of driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after an accident and driving without insurance.

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He was fined £240 with £170 costs and banned from driving for six months. Magistrates agreed to suspend the driving ban pending an appeal against conviction which defence solicitor Gareth Price said would be lodged with the Crown Court.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said the car driven by Iqbal collided with another vehicle at the junction of Bold Street and Randal Street.

The female driver of the other car was unable to open her door but Iqbal came over and forced it open before asking if she was OK. He then ran off.

Mr Price said his client had pleaded not guilty to the offence but failed to appear in court on the day of trial.