A DUNFERMLINE taxi driver failed to stop in time at a pedestrian crossing and struck a two-year-old girl.

The incident took place in St Leonard’s Street, Dunfermline, near the Asda store.

Cabbie Alexander Hudson, 60, of Islay Road, was branded an “amber gambler” at his trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

Fortunately, the girl, who was crossing the road with her father, was only slightly injured.

Hudson had denied that on June 23, he drove a car without due care and attention by failing to comply with a traffic signal showing red, failing to stop and colliding with a child.

The girl’s dad told the court she had been “trotting” over the road alongside him after the green signal to cross had come up.

He said the taxi screeched to a halt after the beeping sound to cross had started.

However, Hudson told the court the father had been “exaggerating” and the girl had run into his car.

He said: “I definitely stopped before the white line and before the girl hit the car. It was static.”

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia put it to Hudson that he was an “amber gambler”.

Hudson responded: “I did my best to stop. I stopped well before she ran into the car.”

After he was found guilty, defence solicitor Ian Beatson said: “This will obviously affect his future as a taxi driver. His taxi licence is up for renewal in January. It may be that he will no longer be considered suitable to hold a licence.”

Sheriff Craig McSherry fined Hudson £500 and imposed six penalty points on his driving licence.