A motorist was receiving a text message when his car collided with a parked vehicle at Waikouaiti on May 9, the Dunedin District Court has heard.
Prosecutor Sergeant Paul Knox said the motorist, Andrew Stephen Cleghorn (45), of Waikouaiti, was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser in Beach St when the collision occurred.
A vehicle parked at the side of the street was extensively damaged and Cleghorn had left the scene.
When located by police the next day, he said he had consumed alcohol before driving and had been receiving a text message, Sgt Knox said.
Counsel Andy Belcher said a breath-alcohol test administered the next morning was negative.
The defendant had no previous convictions.
Appearing before Judge Paul Kellar, Cleghorn admitted carelessly operating a vehicle.
He was convicted and fined $750, court costs $130, and disqualified from driving for two months.
The offence occurred before November 1, when a law change imposing controls over the use of hand-held cellphones in cars came into effect.
