Stephen David Freemantle, 60,of Esrom Street, Bathurst, appeared before magistrate Kevin Hockey earlier this month charged with not providing his particulars to the owner of damaged property.

Police facts tendered to the court told how between 10am and noon on November 6, Freemantle, who was driving a ute belonging to the Salvation Army, reversed into a Toyota Prado that had been parked outside the Tourist Hotel in Oberon.

The owner of the Prado returned to his car to find a large mark on the driver's side which appeared to be result of another vehicle hitting it as it attempted to park.

The matter was reported to police, who obtained CCTV, Footage showed the crash and helped police identify the offending vehicle, a white Toyota loaded with furniture.

The video showed the offending driver made no attempt to stop or leave a note.

On December 12 police spoke with a Salvation Army manager who confirmed they owned a white Toyota. He was shown the CCTV and formally identified the vehicle which was registered to the Salvation Army.

Freemantle was nominated as the driver who was a volunteer at the shop.

On January 2, Freemantle attended Bathurst police station and made admissions of being the driver at the time of the collision.

He said he had no idea he had hit another vehicle while reversing. He said the ute was loaded with furniture at the time and he did not feel the impact and drove off.

In court, Freemantle said he was very sorry about what had happened but did not realise at the time.

"I accept I did it," he said, adding he was driving for the Salvation Army at the time as an unpaid charity worker.

Mr Hockey said Freemantle was a decent person volunteering for the community. He said the Salvation Army did a fantastic job in the community.

He said "everyone is entitled to make a mistake" and dismissed the charge.

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