A bus driver who drove into a hatchback walked from court with a conditional discharge and five points on his licence.

Stagecoach driver Mark Newman was behind the wheel of his double-decker bus on Ermin Street, Stratton, on the morning of June 2 last year when he pulled in to let another bus pass him.

Prosecutor Kate Prince told Swindon Magistrates’ Court the 55-year-old’s vehicle struck a parked Honda Jazz at low speed as he pulled in to avoid the other bus.

The prang, which was witnessed by a member of the public, damaged the Honda’s front nearside wing, wheel arch and suspension.

Ms Prince said Newman had returned around an hour later and retrieved part of the bus, which had been damaged in the accident. He was told where the owner lived but continued on his way.

When he was interviewed, Newman fully admitted causing the crash. He said he’d left the scene as he’d been embarrassed.

Andrea Cook, defending, said her client had got off the bus immediately after the crash and spoken to an eyewitness – but left as he was embarrassed and panicked. He had taken down the registration number of the Honda and reported the incident to his bosses but had made the mistake of not contacting the police himself within 24 hours of the crash.

He had a clean driving licence, no previous convictions, lived with his wife and had six dependants. Ms Cook said her client had the full support of his employer.

Newman, of Colingsmead, Eldene, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

Imposing a 12-month conditional discharge and five penalty points, District Judge Joanna Dickens said: “I accept that this was an extremely unusual incident, which was out of character. By the sounds of it the accident was just that – an accident.”

He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £21 victim surcharge.