South African businessman Bernard Kantor, 75, was reported by a cyclist, who recorded him checking emails on his phone while stationary at temporary traffic lights.
He fought the charge for a year, but pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates’ Court to using a handheld mobile phone while driving in Portman Street, on June 9, last year.
Kantor already had nine points on his driving licence for three speeding offences and the six points imposed for this latest offence triggered the automatic disqualification.
Prosecutor Barto De Lotbiniere told the magistrates: “A cyclist saw the defendant in a Bentley motor car in Portman Street and the car was queuing at temporary traffic lights.
“He recorded the defendant using his mobile phone and submitted the video footage to the police.”
When caught Kantor was two miles from his £5.5m home in Queen’s Grove, St. John’s Wood.
His lawyer John Dye told the court: “There is footage. People on bikes are recording what people are doing in their cars.
“To have some sympathy he was in stationary traffic and checking emails because the traffic was going nowhere.”
Kantor was fined £800, with £85 and ordered to pay a £320 victim surcharge.
“We are going to have to disqualify you as well,” bench Chairman Steven Phaure told him.
“For using your mobile phone it is six penalty points we are putting on your licence and that means as you know, you have fifteen points and we will have to disqualify you for a period of six months from today.
“You cannot drive any motor vehicle on a public road and if you drive while disqualified you will be committing a serious offence and may go to custody.”
“Thank-you kindly,” replied Kantor. “Fortunately I never drove here.”
Kantor co-founded Investec with his brother Ian in Johannesburg in 1974 and became the MD of its UK operations in 1997.
The investment banking giant was a long-term sponsor of Test Match cricket in England, plus the Derby Festival in horse racing and continues to sponsor international rugby.
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