19 January 2024 , 12:32
433
0
Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy has admitted he is "ashamed" after driving while using his mobile phone.
The 2023 Strictly Come Dancing star was convicted of using his phone while driving through central London, a court has heard. He faced prosecution by police after he was spotted by a passing motorcyclist checking emails. The broadcaster was behind the wheel of his Tesla at the time.
The incident was caught on camera, however Guru-Murthy initially said he had not broken the law. When facing a trial this week, he pleaded guilty. He also admitted to not fully understanding the laws around mobile phones and driving.
Krishnan is currently on the Strictly Come Dancing live tour (Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
The newsreader was filmed checking emails at traffic lights in London (WireImage)According to the Standard, the broadcaster’s lawyer Simon Gretton told Ealing magistrate’s court: "He holds his hands up. He is a completely law-abiding gentleman and he is ashamed of this." Guru-Murthy was ordered to pay a £300 fine, a further £300 in costs, and a £120 victim surcharge.
The news reader has also had six penalty points added to his licence. The incident happened in March last year, shortly after the Channel 4 News show had aired. Guru-Murthy drove along Marylebone Road near to Regent’s Park and Madame Tussauds at 8.20pm. Motorcyclist Lukas Kozesnik filmed Guru-Murthy on his helmet camera.
Meet the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 stars - TV legends to soap icons
He was filmed in the driver's seat of his Tesla, using a smart phone while waiting for traffic lights to turn green. Mr Kozesnik said in his witness statement: “The driver noticed me and put the phone down. We then both went on our separate but similar ways.” Guru-Murthy initially pleaded not guilty when first charged with an offence through the single justice procedure.
He reportedly wanted to challenge the motorcyclist’s evidence and insisted: “I deny using a mobile phone whilst driving.” Guru-Murthy was not present at court as Mr Gretton entered a guilty plea on the Strictly star's behalf. The solicitor said: “Mr Guru-Murthy was driving in the evening and he stopped at traffic lights. The car was stationary, it doesn’t move at any point where the phone is seen to be in his hand. The lights changed and the device was put down before the defendant moved off.”
Mr Gretton said the incident lasted no longer than six seconds. He also pointed to a law change in 2022 that tightened the use of mobile phones by drivers. He added: “He now understands and accepts that, due to relatively recent changes in the law, you don’t have to be just making or receiving a call or sending a text. You can be doing anything at all with a phone, even when stationary at traffic lights, and this is an offence. The defendant wasn’t very clear about that.” Guru-Murthy was given 28 days to settle the court bill totalling £720.