A MAN who fled the scene of a crash in Northwich has avoided a prison sentence.

Mark Hammond, of Delamere Park Way West, had been driving a Peugeot 207 on August 3 this year when he collided with a Volkswagen Golf on the A49 in Weaverham.

A police helicopter was called into action after Hammond fled the scene of the crash, which happened just before 11pm, with the road closed in both directions.

Two people travelling in the Golf were injured and taken to hospital for treatment, although both were discharged soon afterwards.

The passenger suffered a sprained ankle and was left with chest and back pains, bruises, scratches and whiplash.

Hammond, 57, pleaded guilty to three counts in relation to the incident when he appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court on November 23.

They included being the driver of a vehicle involved in a road accident who failed to report it – he did not give his name and address to a person, failed to report the accident at a police station or to a constable as soon as was reasonably practicable, or within twenty-four hours.

The second charge related to driving without due care and attention, while the third was for failing to stop after a road accident.

At the time of the collision, a spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "One person was believed to have made off from the scene so the police helicopter attended to conduct a search of the area but there was no trace of the suspect.

"The A49 was closed in both directions while officers dealt with the incident."

Hammond appeared back in Chester Magistrates' Court on Friday, January 7 to be sentenced, where District Judge Sanders took his guilty plea into account.

Hammond was disqualified from driving for six months and was fined £300.

He was also made subject of a 14-week curfew, operating between the hours of 7pm and 7am.