A BUTCHER who sideswiped a neighbour's ute in the main street of Koroit has been ordered to pay $500 to the court fund for leaving the scene of an accident.
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Stephen Quinlan, 47, of Clarke Street, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
He was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond with the condition he pay $500 to the court fund.
Lawyer Kiernan Celestina said his client worked six days a week, was associated with the Koroit Bowls Club, had only caused a black mark to the ute and had spent a couple of hours at a hotel after work before the accident.
"He's very sorry. Mr Quinlan knows the driver of the ute, he lives across the road," he said.
Magistrate Peter Mellas said that if Quinlan had stayed at the accident scene that "things could have been checked".
He said Quinlan had no prior court appearances and provided good references to the court.
Police said that at 4.30pm on April 21 Quinlan was driving in High Street, Koroit, when he veered and sideswiped a ute on the opposite side of the road.
Quinlan continued driving and the driver of the ute reported the accident to police.
Quinlan's vehicle was found at the front of his home but officers couldn't find him.
The next day Quinlan told police he sneezed, was involved in the minor accident and panicked.
He said he had consumed two mid-strength stubbies before the accident.
