A man reeling from two bereavements in quick succession left the scene of a car crash.

Blackburn magistrates heard Trevor John Walton saw the other driver was irate and didn't feel emotionally strong enough for a roadside confrontation.

Walton, 52, of Snape Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision. He was fined £120 with £85 costs and £48 victim surcharge. His licence was endorsed with eight penalty points.

Sameena Chaudhry, prosecuting, said the collision occurred at 5.30 pm at the junction of Bolton Road and Jack Walker Way.

There were two vehicles in the road when police arrived and they were told a third had left the scene.

Aftab Bakhat, defending, said six weeks before the incident his client's sister had passed away after a short illness.

"He was deeply affected by her death," said Mr Bakhat. "He was trying to cope with that when, two weeks prior to this incident, his partner caught a chest infection and was hospitalised.

"A week later she suffered a heart attack and passed away," said Mr Bakhat. "Her funeral took place just eight days before this offence."

Mr Bakhat said the collision occurred o a roundabout and his client accepted he was responsible.

"He stopped and saw the other driver approaching," said Mr Bakhat. "He perceived he was irate and felt if he remained at the scene things may have escalated. He also concedes that he may not have had the emotional strength to deal with the aftermath of the collision at the roadside."