A MAN fled the scene after ploughing a van into a row of parked cars in Newton-le-Willows.

The Roads Policing Unit at Merseyside Police tweeted a photo of the red Ford Transit van on Sunday, February 19, which was left at the side of the road in Newton. 

READ > Arrests made as three attempt to 'steal from a vehicle' in early hours

After colliding with parked cars, the van driver is reported to have fled to a nearby address, where he was traced by a member of the public.

Upon arriving, police officers found that the Transit van had been damaged in the collision and was taken without the owner's consent.

A man was arrested by police at the nearby address on suspicion of driving while disqualified.

Police have since charged a man, Neil Yates, aged 53, of Findlay Close, Newton-le-Willows, for aggravated unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

The 53-year-old was further charged for driving whilst disqualified and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.

He appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court today (Monday, February 20), and has been remanded into custody.

He will appear back in court on Monday, March 6.