A TEENAGER who was involved in two hit-and-run crashes in just a month has been banned from driving for six months.

Hartley Wiseman fled the scene after crashing into a street bench and, weeks later, he skidded into the path of an oncoming vehicle, causing a crash which left the other driver with a hairline fractured wrist.

The 18-year-old fled as the injured driver went back to his car to get his insurance details.

And he told the court he left the scene “because people were shouting” at him.

Wiseman pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to stop at the scene of a crash.

He was given a total of 16 points on his licence which means his licence will be revoked under the New Drivers Act, and he will have to retake his driving test.

The court heard Wiseman’s first crash took place on August 2 last year when he was driving his Renault Clio in Fernhill Lane, New Milton.

Prosecutor Rachael Standish said Wiseman crashed into a bin, a bench and a road sign near Brook Avenue in New Milton.

He said two people were seen “running from the vehicle”.

The court was told that a second crash took place on August 24, when Wiseman was driving the same car in Christchurch Road, New Milton.

Witnesses saw his Clio swerve into the path of oncoming traffic, before crashing into a vehicle. She said the other driver suffered a fractured wrist in the crash and that, after an initial conversation, Wiseman was seen “sloping” away.

Wiseman didn’t report either of the crashes.

Defending, Anne Baron told the court that Wiseman had endured a difficult upbringing, including the death of his mother when he was 11 years old, and was currently sofa-surfing, having no permanent accommodation.

Ms Baron added: “He understands what he did was wrong.”

Wiseman, of Raleigh Road, New Milton, was handed a 12-month community order, to include 20 rehabilitation days.

He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £145.