A specialist surveyor who knocked a teenage boy off his scooter in Fife said he did not see him because of his dark clothing.
Graham Fleming failed to indicate as he turned off Leven’s Main Street and collided with the 14–year-old.
The 44-year-old was not driving quickly at the time, Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard.
Fiscal depute Mat Piskorz said: “It was around 1.10pm and the complainer was standing on the nearside pavement waiting to cross Chemiss Road, approximately nine yards from the junction.
“He saw the accused’s vehicle approaching the junction but it was not indicating to turn into Chemiss Road.
“The complainer started to cross, looking straight ahead.
“The accused’s vehicle struck him at a relatively slow speed, causing him to fall to the ground.
“The complainer got to his feet and hobbled to the pavement and other road users pulled over to check the complainer.”
Originally charged with dangerous driving
Fleming tried to help the teenager, stating that he had not seen him.
He later told police; “I was coming round the corner at 5mph and he ran into me.
“He was wearing all black and I didn’t see him.”
Mr Piskorz said the boy suffered grazes and redness as a result of the collision.
Fleming, of King Edward Street, Markinch, admitted driving carelessly on September 20 last year.
He was originally charged with dangerous driving but pled guilty to the lesser charge.
His solicitor told the court: “It all happened very quickly as Mr Fleming turned from the road to where the complainer was.
“He thought he had indicated but accepts he didn’t.
“The complainer was one of a number of youths on the corner – I understand he was on a scooter, so may have been moving slightly faster.
“(Fleming) pulled over quickly.”
He said Fleming needed to keep his licence as he is a surveyor with a specialism in asbestos and drove all over Scotland for his work.
Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane fined him £585.
