A CHEF who "panicked" and drove off after crashing into a wall has been fined.

Harold Marchington, of Meadow Road, Bulford, admitted failing to stop after a road accident in Salisbury Magistrates Court on Friday (April 7).

Prosecuting, Kate Prince said on December 9, 2016, a woman had been in bed at her home in Long Street, Enford when she heard a loud bang just before 1am.

When the woman looked out her bedroom window, she saw that her neighbour's wall had been damaged by a car, which was driving off.

She called the police, who discovered that a brick wall to the front of the house had been demolished.

Officers located Marchington later on that morning.

Ms Prince said Marchington confirmed he'd been driving and hit the wall but "panicked, and that was his reason for driving off."

Defending, Paul Jones said Marchington worked as a military chef, and had been working at a function until about midnight that night.

Mr Jones said Marchington was "upset" after hitting the wall, adding: "He didn't know what to do and simply drove off thinking he would deal with it in the morning".

Magistrates fined Marchington £320 and enforced seven points on his driving licence.

He must also pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge, but the cost of repairing the wall will be dealt with through insurance.