A hit-and-run driver smashed into a parked car in Stevenage on Friday night, shunting it back more than its own length and damaging two other vehicles.

The Comet: Aidan Heritage's yellow Kia car and a neighbouring Land Rover Freelander after the incident on Friday night. Photo: Aidan HeritageAidan Heritage's yellow Kia car and a neighbouring Land Rover Freelander after the incident on Friday night. Photo: Aidan Heritage (Image: Archant)

Police were called at about 10.40pm to reports that a black hatchback had hit a parked yellow Kia in Mandeville, then driven off.

The Kia Picanto was shunted into the back of a Land Rover Freelander, which was itself pushed into the back of a silver Jaguar parked in front of it.

The Picanto owner, Aidan Heritage, told the Comet: “You have printed various stories over the years of parked cars suffering damage of one sort or another due to the actions of others. I have always felt sorry for the victims – but of course never expected to be one myself.

“My parked car was shunted back at least its own length, and onto the pavement by about a third of its width, into the Freelander.

The Comet: The Land Rover Freelander next to Aidan Heritage's car was itself shunted into the back of a Jaguar during the incident in Mandeville on Friday night. Photo: Aidan HeritageThe Land Rover Freelander next to Aidan Heritage's car was itself shunted into the back of a Jaguar during the incident in Mandeville on Friday night. Photo: Aidan Heritage (Image: Archant)

“We both had handbrakes on of course, but the impact was enough to send both my Picanto and the Freelander back into the Jaguar.”

He added: “We have a part of the driver’s car in our garage – I’m told it’s an intercooler, and it says it’s a Golf, or at least was.

“I’m amazed that the car was able to be driven, but apparently it reversed at speed, turned and sped off after hitting the cars.

“We have of course informed the police and set wheels in motion with insurance companies, and at the end of the day no-one was injured.

“But parking in a quiet road – Mandeville isn’t exactly a main road! – you don’t expect to find your car in a state much different from the one you left it in.”

Oil leaked from one of the vehicles onto the road, prompting Highways to attend and clean up the spillage.

Police officers attended and, owing to the late time, put a note through doors asking vehicle owners to contact police.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting crime reference ISR 940 of Friday, March 31, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.