Guy Ritchie handed driving ban after being filmed texting at wheel by cyclist
Guy Ritchie was spotted typing a message on his iPhone as he drove his Range Rover through London’s Hyde Park
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Guy Ritchie has been banned from driving for six months after a cyclist filmed him texting at the wheel.
The film director, 51, was spotted typing a message on his iPhone as he drove his Range Rover through London’s Hyde Park in November last year.
He has been given six points on his licence, taking the total to 15.
Ritchie has also been ordered to pay a £666 fine, as well as £166 in prosecution costs and court fees.
He already had nine points on his driving licence from three previous speeding offences in March 2017, and February and December last year, the Evening Standard reports.
In the video Ritchie is seen is waiting in traffic backed-up through the park when the cyclist pulls up beside him.
“Hello my friend,” he says when he realises he is being watched.
The cyclist replies: “I don’t think you should be using your text messages while you are driving. I saw you doing it back there as well.”
Ritchie then drives away as the traffic moves forward.
He has admitted to being the driver in the video.
Cyclist Mike van Erp sent the video to the police, with the file titled: “Man typing on his mobile phone whilst behind the wheel of his car.”
Mr van Erp said in a statement: “I spotted this driver texting on his phone. I stopped and whilst waiting for traffic to clear could clearly see the driver typing on his phone.
“I then crossed to the driver’s side where I saw his iPhone lit up with the classic blue and grey message bubbles of Apple iMessage, with text, and a message in process of being typed but not sent.”
Mr van Erp did not know the man he was filming was Ritchie.
He says he started filming and reporting drivers on a GoPro helmet camera after his father was killed in a road crash while riding a motorcycle.
Ritchie pleaded guilty in writing to the latest offence.
He was banned from driving for six months by Bromley magistrates on Tuesday.
The case was dealt with behind closed doors under the Single Justice Procedure, to avoid a full court hearing.
Ritchie was not required to attend.
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