Dairy farmer admits crashing into recycling depot gate

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

A 24-year-old dairy farmer crashed into a locked recycling depot gate and drove away without reporting it.

Thomas Atkinson, a 24-year-old dairy farmer from near Appleby, admitted in Carlisle magistrates' court to crashing into a locked recycling depot gate on Bousteads Grassing. The collision occurred at around 11:45pm on 4 March. His white Ford Fiesta was found parked about 100 metres away with significant front end damage.

CCTV footage showed the vehicle hitting the gate, which was almost knocked off its hinges. Atkinson did not report the incident to police. Instead, officers were called the following morning at around 6am after council staff discovered the damage and initially suspected a break-in.

Atkinson admitted three offences: careless driving, failing to stop after an accident, and failing to report an accident within 24 hours. He told the court he had not been drinking. 'I just wasn't paying attention,' he said. 'It was a genuine mistake. I should have reported it. I wasn't thinking. I had work next morning.' He stressed that he needed his driving licence for his work, as he used a tractor daily. Atkinson had no previous convictions.

How it is being reported

• Careless off-duty dairy farmer drove into locked recycling depot gateA CARELESS driver who crashed into the gate of a locked recycling depot late at night told a court: “I just wasn’t paying attention.”Westmorland Gazette · 20 Oct, 12:35
• Careless off-duty dairy farmer drove into locked recycling depot gateA CARELESS driver who crashed into the gate of a locked recycling depot late at night told a court: “I just wasn’t paying attention.”Cumberland News · 20 Oct, 12:35

In this story: Thomas Atkinson · Carlisle · Eden Valley

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