A 36 year old motorist knocked over two pedestrians as he drove off an Accrington petrol station forecourt.

Blackburn magistrates heard Richard John Sutton told police he was looking at the traffic on Manchester Road rather that the two men crossing in front of him.

Sutton, 36, of Blackburn Road, Rising Bridge, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to report an accident. He was fined £67 with £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge. His licence was endorsed with five penalty points.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said the incident occurred at 12.20pm as Michael Deane and Steven Grihault were walking past the Tesco Express petrol station. As they crossed the entrance to the petrol station they were both hit by a VW Golf driven by Sutton.

"Both pedestrians went over the bonnet and ended up on the main carriageway," said Mrs Yates. "The defendant stopped and helped the two men and CCTV showed him sitting on the bonnet of his car apparently in shock. He then got back into his car and drove off."

In a letter to the court Sutton said he accepted full responsibility for the accident which was a total misjudgement on his part.

"As they didn't appear to be badly hurt I left the scene," he said. "I didn't think it was a police matter at the time although I now know that is wrong."