A BABY on board sticker proved to be the downfall for a motorist who denied causing a crash.

Stuart Frodsham, of Oxford Street, Ulverston, was found guilty of driving without due care and attention following a trial at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Frodsham caused damage to a Peugeot 206, being driven by Gregory Buckley, after overtaking him at around 2.10pm on January 12.

The incident happened on a double white-lined stretch of Ulverston Road in Dalton.

During the trial Mr Buckley said he had been ‘shook up’ after the crash.

Frodsham, who represented himself, claimed he had not driven on Ulverston Road on January 12, and that his Vauxhall Zafira had been in Greenodd at the time.

The 33-year-old defendant claimed the damage to his car was caused when he hit a lamppost outside his work at a hotel in Windermere.

However, magistrates ruled he had caused the crash due to the witness identifying the correct make, colour and registration plate of the Vauxhall and a baby on board sticker.

Prosecutor Andy Travis said: “I put it to you that the witness has given the correct make of car, registration plate, colour, and stated there was a baby on board sticker.”

In a police statement Frodsham admitted he did have the sticker in his vehicle.

Mr Travis asked Frodsham whether it was possible his car had been cloned and the defendant agreed it could not have been.

Magistrates found Frodsham was not guilty of failing to stop after the incident, and not guilty of failing to report the accident due to not being aware an accident had occurred.

However, he was convicted of driving without due care and attention.

Frodsham was ordered to pay a total of £780, including £300 compensation to Mr Buckley, a £30 victim surcharge, a £250 fine, and £200 court costs.

His licence was also endorsed with five penalty points.

Magistrates recognised that Frodsham did not have any previous driving offences and had a clean driving licence.