A man who was knocked down by a car driven by an underage driver has been awarded £8,000 in compensation for the injuries he suffered.

Peter Ives, 60, was walking his dog near his house when a car mounted the pavement and hit him. It then crashed through a garden wall and struck a parked vehicle. The 15-year-old driver of the car ran away from the scene but was later caught by the police.

Mr Ives was knocked unconscious and was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with a skull fracture. He also suffered cuts and bruises to his shoulder, leg and face. He had only recently undergone surgery for a knee replacement and unfortunately the accident reopened the surgical wound, necessitating a further operation to correct this. Mr Ives had to take time off work to recover from the accident.

The passenger in the car was insured to drive it and the car belonged to his employer. Even though the driver had neither a driving licence nor insurance the car owner's insurer agreed to compensate Mr Ives. The amount covered both the personal injury he had suffered and the time he had been forced to take off work.

The driver of the car later appeared in court. He admitted dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol in his blood and without insurance or a licence.