A TAXI driver who hit a woman on a pedestrian crossing as he was driving the wrong way down a one way street claimed he had been dazzled by the sun.

Blackburn magistrates heard Mohammed Hanif Patel had initially been charged with failing to stop after the accident.

But this charge was dropped by the prosecution which said it was accepted the woman had at first said she was not injured by the minimal contact and because of that there was no requirement for the driver to remain at the scene.

She later phoned police and said she had suffered a bruise.

Patel, 50, of Langham Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to comply with a direction arrow.

He was fined £165 with £105 costs and his licence endorsed with five penalty points. Charges of failing to stop after an accident and failing to stop at a pelican crossing were dropped.

The prosecution said it had been a glancing blow and not a case of someone being mown down.

Scott Parker, defending, said the woman using the crossing told police she was not injured but phoned them later and said she was.

“There was no duty for him to stop at the scene,” said Mr Parker.