A MOTORIST who drenched families on the school run when he drove through a puddle has been prosecuted.

Children and their parents were walking in Wimpole Road, Colchester, when they were soaked by a large wave in January.

But PC Mark Hercules was in his patrol car behind the car and stopped motorist, Samuel Lees.

Lees, 22, of Ladbrook Drive, Colchester, was charged with driving without due care and attention.

He was summonsed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday but did not attend.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “He failed to respond to a postal requisition. As a result, a magistrate fined him in his absence £500, court costs of £90 and a victim surcharge of £50.

“The man, aged in his early 20s, also had his licence endorsed with six penalty points.”

PC Mark Hercules described how during the incident, the vehicle was through the puddle at “a relatively fast speed making no attempt to slow down or avoid it.”

He added: “As a consequence, a large wave of water absolutely soaked the children and their parents.

“We could hear the screams from the children as they got drenched in the cold dirty rain water.

“The motorist drove off. Fortunately, I saw the whole incident.”

Debbie Pugh, her son David, eight, and daughter, Emma, 11, were walking to St George’s Junior School.

David was left in tears.

Police said the puddle could have contained hidden hazards such as a stone that could injure someone, or the motorist could have lost control of his vehicle.