A MOTORIST has been banned from driving for three months after a hit-and-run accident in which a New Forest foal was killed.

Farm worker Kamil Gerula overtook a car that had slowed down because the foal was standing in the middle of the road, New Forest magistrates were told.

The animal suffered a serious leg injury in the collision and had to be put down, the court heard.

Gerula, 24, of Penerley Farm, Lyndhurst Road, Beaulieu, admitted driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance and failing to stop after an accident.

Sital Mond, prosecuting, said two people were driving along the Marchwood to Beaulieu road when they saw a foal in front of their car.

They slowed down and switched on their hazard warning lights to alert other drivers but another vehicle overtook them at more than 40mph, she said.

"They knew the other car was going to hit the foal," added Mrs Mond.

"The animal was bumped off the carriageway and ended up at the side of the road. Its leg was loose and swinging."

Mrs Mond said Gerula stopped briefly but then drove off without leaving his details.

The defendant was subsequently traced and told police that he overtook the other car because it moved to the side of the road. Later in the interview he said: "I did stop. I looked round and the horse looked all right."

Speaking through an interpreter the Polish farmworker told the court that he had paid the foal's owner £150 compensation.

He added that people who bought a car in Poland were given 30 days to obtain insurance and he thought the same rule applied in the UK.

"I know that's not justification - I should have found out," he told the court.

Gerula was banned from driving for three months and fined £130 for driving without due care.

For driving without insurance his licence was endorsed with six penalty points and he was fined £130. The offence of failing to stop after an accident resulted in a further five penalty points and a fine of £135.

Gerula was also ordered to pay £35 costs and the victim surcharge of £15, making a total financial penalty of £445.

Magistrate Peter Molyneaux told him: "It's important that drivers are aware of the danger of animals roaming within the Forest and it's our responsibility to drive in such a manner that the safety of the animals is observed. This you failed to do."