Tom Tugendhat, the minister of security, has been prohibited from driving for six months after he was found using his phone while driving.
The Conservative MP for Tonbridge and Malling said he was holding but “not using” his mobile device.
On April 4, police in Wandsworth stopped the 49-year-Skoda old’s 4×4 vehicle.
Today, Mr. Tugendhat appeared for a sentencing hearing at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Geraldine Dickinson, the prosecutor, informed the court that he was stopped by police on Wandsworth High Street when an officer spotted that he was holding his phone in his left hand.
“He observed that the motorist was using a hand-held phone,” she explained.
“The driver’s left hand was holding the device.
“He observed this for perhaps 20 seconds in broad daylight.”
She said that the officer confirmed that Mr. Tugendhat was not using his phone to contact emergency services.
“It has been verified that they were utilizing maps,” she stated.
The defense attorney, Paul Morris, stated that his client accepted a driving prohibition.
The imposition of a driving ban on Mr. Tugendhat would result in “extraordinary hardship,” but he did not offer any mitigation.
I anticipate that you will serve as a model for the rest of us.
According to Judge Jack McGarva, cell phone use is a distraction.
He stated, “Any use of a mobile phone is a distraction.”
“Without a doubt, it impairs individuals’ driving abilities.
I anticipate that you will serve as a model for the rest of us.
Mr. Tugendhat received six penalty points on his driver’s license for the offense, in addition to the six points he already had for two previous driving violations, resulting in a six-month suspension.
In addition to the driving prohibition, he received a fine of £1,000, a surcharge of £100, and costs of £110.
