A MAN who ploughed his car into a New Forest pony fled the scene without reporting the accident which left the animal dead.

The body of a grey filly was found dead just a few feet from the Beaulieu Road between Hill Top and Dibden Purlieu.

It had suffered a large gash to its rear, a court heard.

Oliver Atack’s white Ford Transit was later spotted in a car park by members of the public with “front end damage” and reported to police.

When carrying out an inspection, officers found hair “embedded” in the vehicle.

During an initial phone call the 35-year-old welder admitted to hitting a pony but said he had been driving with due care and attention.

According to Atack of Tytherley Road, Lockerley, he had stopped at the side of the road and used his phone light to search for the animal.

During an interview, he claimed he did not know he had to “report an accident of that nature”.

Furthermore, he had “assumed that the pony was ok” when he couldn't find it.

Having been working in Andover earlier in the day, Atack told officers he had been walking his dog in Moonhills.

He was later charged and pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road accident and failing to report the accident which happened on June 2 last year.

He was also charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal; however, the offence was withdrawn.

Defending, David Storry said his client was very remorseful for what had happened.

He argued that Atack did stop for a short period of time, but it was dark, and he could not find anything.

Mr Storry described him as a hardworking young man and said he needs to be able to drive for work.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates' Court, the panel chaired by Mrs Anne Srokosz, gave him a 12-month community order to include 100 hours or unpaid work.

His licence has also been endorsed with ten points and he must pay £85 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.