A 22-year-old motorist who knocked over a toddler strapped into a pushchair in Wells Market Place has appeared in court.

Timothy Cooper reversed out of a parking space and ran into the pushchair, tipping it over, and the child suffered a small scratch to the forehead.

At Frome Magistrates' Court last week, Cooper, of The Witheys, Street, admitted driving without due care and attention on January 1 this year.

Crown prosecutor Becky Gardner said the mother of the child had been walking behind Cooper's Nissan Micra, which was stationary at the time.

She thought she had established eye contact with the driver, but says the car suddenly started reversing just as she was behind it.

"She banged on the side of the car to get the driver to stop," said Miss Gardner.

"She was very angry, but not injured, and her child had a scratch to the forehead." The incident was captured on CCTV and police issued an appeal for witnesses.

Solicitor John Killah, representing Cooper, said he had simply failed to see the person walking behind his car.

"As soon as he heard a noise at the back of his car he stopped and got out to check what had happened," said Mr Killah.

"The mother was naturally distressed, but Mr Cooper was also very distressed as well." He said Cooper had been driving for three years, and had a clean licence.

He was a care and support worker, and needed to drive to get to his clients who live all over the area.

"This was a momentary lapse of concentration, and he is full of remorse," said Mr Killah.

Magistrates fined him £100 with £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge, and put four penalty points on his licence.