Filmmaker Guy Ritchie has been banned from driving for six months after a cyclist caught him texting while behind the wheel of his car.
The director, 51, was spotted typing into his phone while he drove through Hyde Park at around 1pm on 3 November 2019.
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A video clip of him sat in his driver's seat while using his mobile was taken by a passing cyclist, Mike van Erp, who sent it onto the Metropolitan Police.
When he sent the footage to police, Mr van Erp, 48, called the video file: 'Man typing on his mobile phone whilst behind the wheel of his car'.
According to court documents seen by The Evening Standard, Ritchie has now been handed a six-month ban for the offence.
Mr van Erp's full statement said: "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."
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In the clip, Ritchie can be seen sitting in traffic when Mr van Erp rolls up alongside his car. Realising that he is being watched, the Snatch director winds his window down to speak to the cyclist.
He can be heard saying: "Hello, my friend."
To which Mr van Erp 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 pulls away.
According to reports, Ritchie was later contacted by the police and accepted that it was him in the video. He was informed he would be prosecuted for the offence.
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Ritchie was not required to attend the hearing at Bromley Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty in writing.
The filmmaker received six points on his license, which reportedly took his total to 15, and was handed a six-month ban.
He was also ordered to pay a £666 fine, as well as £166 in court costs.
Speaking to the Standard about the incident, Mr van Erp said he started filming his bike rides after his father was killed in a road accident.
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On the day that he sent the police the footage of Ritchie, the cyclist also provided complaints pertaining to three other drivers.
He told the publication: "I had no idea it was him. I pulled up beside him on my bicycle and told him he was using his mobile. He said he had stopped in traffic. Drivers should not be doing this and people like me serve as a deterrent."
Featured Image Credit: Mike van ErpTopics: UK News, TV and Film, Celebrity