Woman fined for hit and run

A MOTORIST who collided with another vehicle and then fled the scene, has been handed a hefty fine at Strabane Magistrates Court.

Ashlin McGuinness (54) from Spruce Meadows in Derry initially denied any driving infractions when she was questioned by police and had intended on contesting the four charges against her.

However CCTV obtained from the Argos store in Strabane showed her vehicle in a “tight manoeuvre” as it was leaving the car park. McGuinness accepted she had been driving the car at the time.

The injured party’s Audi was left with a large scrap along one side.

On Thursday the defendant made an admission to a charge of careless driving and the remaining three charges, failing to report the incident, failing to remain at the scene and failing to stop, were withdrawn.

“I am minded to impose five penalty points and a financial penalty,” Deputy District Judge John Connolly remarked during the hearing.

“The fact that she didn’t remain aggravates the offence.”

However for the single offence of driving without due care and attention, McGuinness was eventually handed three penalty points. Judge Connolly also fined her £350.