Fashion Designer To The Stars Drove After Cyclist And Deliberately Knocked Him Off Bike

A fashion designer to the stars pursued a cyclist in her Audi TT after a roundabout confrontation and deliberately knocked him off his bike because he kicked the side of her car.

Lamis Khamis, 42, whose designs have been worn by celebrities including model Cara Delevingne and musician Chris Brown launched her self-named brand in 2001 after graduating with a Fine Art & Sculpture Degree from the Camberwell College of Arts.

Khamis, of Iveagh Avenue, North Kensington, whose label rose from her popular stall on Portobello Road Market, Notting Hill pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and a valid MOT on May 17, last year.

The prosecution dropped a more serious charge of dangerous driving against the designer, who describes her work as just as much art as fashion and is sold in leading boutiques all over the world.

Isleworth Crown Court heard she was behind the wheel of her black 2.0 litre Audi when she got into a row with a man riding an electric-powered bicycle at a roundabout near Shepherd's Bush Green.

The cyclist kicked the side of her car during the argument, causing a dent that needed a £300 repair, and Khamis pursued him, driving her car into the bike at low speed and knocking the rider to the ground.

"There was an incident between the pair of you at the roundabout and at some stage your vehicle was kicked and you followed him," Recorder John Gallagher told Khamis today.

"He rode off, but because his cycle had no registration plate you followed in an attempt to obtain details from him.

"You, in an attempt to stop him, drove into him and he fell off his cycle. Your actions were deliberate, but it was not a case of running a person down because you were only travelling at 10mph and he sustained no injuries.

"However, this was a deliberate act and he might well have been injured and you did not consider the risks and alternatives.

"You are a mature lady who has never been in trouble with the police in the past and you have a clean driving licence and in twenty years have had no disqualifications.

"It was a deliberate act that resulted in a cyclist being knocked off his bicycle and you failed to consider the alternatives.

"I accept on your part it should not be described as road rage."

Khamis, who also consults for leading fashion brands and has styled some of the biggest stars in the music and film industry, was fined a total of £600 and given six penalty points on her licence.