Riley Shannon was driving along Dean Street in Albury about 4.30pm on December 19 and was distracted by the crowd gathering for carols by candlelight.

He hit the back of a motorcycle and the rider was knocked to the ground.

The rider got up, pushed his bike to the edge of the road and Shannon and his three passengers left.

But people in the nearby bus shelter in QEII Square recorded the car’s registration, recognised Shannon and called the police.

Shannon, 18, of Goolagar Crescent, Springdale Heights, failed to attend Albury Local Court on charges of unlicensed driving, negligent driving, failing to provide particulars to another driver and failing to give particulars to police.

A check by police showed Shannon was convicted for unlicensed driving in November 2011.

The woman owner of the car contacted police after the accident and claimed she panicked after hitting the rider.

She attended the police station and was told she had to provide the identity of the driver.

But police said action would be taken against her if she lied because they already knew who was driving.

She admitted Shannon was driving and provided a signed statement.

The woman admitted that she planned to say she was driving until given the warning.

Shannon has made no effort to contact police since the accident.