A 25-YEAR-OLD motorist drove off after colliding with a bus on a busy main road.

Blackburn magistrates heard Shaffiq Patel was back at the scene half an hour later when he admitted to a police officer that he had been the driver.

And defence solicitor Basharat Ditta revealed that it had been stern words from his father that had encouraged the change of heart.

Patel, 25, of Foxhouse Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after an accident. He was fined £135 with £65 costs and his licence endorsed with eight penalty points.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said bus driver Andrew Smith was travelling along Bank Top towards Witton at 9.25 am and had passengers on board. She said traffic was slow moving in that direction and virtually stationary heading towards town.

"As he passed a mini roundabout the driver saw, to his horror, a car overtaking the stationary vehicles in the other carriageway and heading straight towards him," said Miss Worsley.

The car collided with the bus before turning right at the roundabout and driving off.

Mr Ditta said Patel could not explain why he had carried out the manoeuvre he did.

He said Patel had no reason not to stop as his documents were in order.

"He simply panicked after the collision and drove home," said Mr Ditta.

"He told his father what had happened and was told in no uncertain terms to go straight back and admit what had happened."