A DRINK driver failed to stop after crashing into a parked car on Christmas Day.

Piotr Rygiel, 44, of Ambleside Drive, was only caught after neighbours noted down his registration number and rang police.

He pleaded guilty at Hereford Magistrates Court on Thursday to drink driving and failing to stop after a road accident.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting said that the incident took place at 9.30pm on Marlowe Drive, in Hereford.

"It appears that the defendant had been driving a Audi A4 and neighbours had heard the collision which had caused relatively minor damage," said Mr Jones.

"Thankfully they made a note of the registration number. Police were called and enquiries led to the defendant's address.

"Rygiel said that he had driven at around 9pm to go and pick-up some friends.

"The reason he didn't stop was because he thought he might be in trouble as he had been driving under the influence of alcohol."

When alcohol tested Rygiel gave a reading of 83 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, above the legal limit of 35.

Chris Read, mitigating, said that Rygiel lived with his friends who had been out in the day while he was at home.

"In the early evening he consumed alcohol but then got a phone call to pick his friends up," said Mr Read

"The journey was less than five miles but he foolishly agreed. He wasn't sure where he was going and drove into Marlowe Drive before realising he had gone down the wrong road and tried to reverse back out.

"During the course of the manoeuvre the corner of his car clipped the corner of a parked car causing minor damage.

"He simply drove away after seeing what he had done as he panicked and didn't stay around to face the music."

Magistrates disqualified Rygiel from driving for 12 months, which could be reduced by three months on completion of a drink drive rehabilitation course.

He was also fined £320 for drink driving, £80 for failing to stop, £135 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.