A SOLDIER who ran away after crashing his car has appeared in court.

Joshua Langley, 24, was involved in a collision at St John's Avenue, Ryde, in the early hours of October 13, in which two other cars were damaged.

Langley, of Jubilee Close, Freshwater, admitted one count of failing to report a road traffic accident when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

Prosecutor Ann Smout said: "It was a three-car collision. The driver of one of the vehicles, along with two women, was seen running away from the crash.

"Two females later attended St Mary's Hospital saying they had been in the crash.

"The next morning, Mr Langley appeared at Ryde Police Station to inform them he had been involved in the same incident.

"Blatantly, if someone doesn't have something to hide, they should remain at the scene to exchange details and speak with the police."

Langley, who defended himself, said: "I was worried about myself, so I just ran away. I went back to the police station the next morning when I was feeling more myself.

"The two passengers turned out not to be hurt at all, and I haven't been in trouble for a long time now.

"I'm not one to go out and start trouble."

Presiding magistrate Jayne Watson said: "You are a trained man in the army, you should know what you have to do in moments such as this, and you're going to have to learn from it."

Langley was fined £450 and ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £45.

He was also issued eight penalty points on his licence.