David Beckham has been banned from driving for six months.
The retired football legend admitted to using his phone behind the wheel after he was spotted by a member of the public while he was driving in Great Portland Street on November 21, and he was sentenced during a brief hearing on Thursday afternoon (09.05.19).
Beckham, 43, was handed a six-month ban and a £750 fine by magistrates at Bromley Magistrates Court, along with six points on his license. According to the BBC, he was also ordered to pay £100 in prosecution costs and a £75 surcharge fee within seven days.
Bromley Magistrates’ Court heard Beckham was seen “operating a handheld device at knee level” while driving along Great Portland Street in the West End.
Prosecutor Matthew Spratt said: “Instead of looking straight forward, paying attention to the road he appeared to be looking at his lap.”
Beckham’s defense barrister Gerrard Tyrrell said Golde Boy Becks had “no recollection of the day in question or this particular incident”. He added: “There is no excuse for what took place but his view is that he cannot remember.”
Mr. Tyrrell told the court that Beckham found driving a relaxing pastime. “He takes his children to school each day when he can and he picks them up when he can, and actually to deprive them of that is something that he will acknowledge,” he said.
The star’s case was considered at the same court in April through a single justice procedure – an administrative process not open to the public or press – which was introduced in England and Wales three years ago to free up court time by letting magistrates quickly deal with low-level offenses which didn’t warrant a prison sentence.
However, last month’s hearing was adjourned until this afternoon “to show cause”, with today’s hearing held in open court.
Speaking after the initial hearing, a member of court staff said: “The magistrates requested more information – either the circumstances in which it happened or they think they don’t have enough information about the charge to make an informed decision.”
Scotland Yard previously confirmed Beckham – who appeared in court on Thursday for his sentencing – had pleaded guilty by post.
In an earlier statement, the Met Police said: “An allegation was made by a member of the public to the Met that on November 21, 2018, they saw a 43-year-old man on his mobile phone while driving his car in the area of Great Portland Street, W1. The 43-year-old man has been sent a notice of intended prosecution.”
Meanwhile, two months before he was reported for this offense, Beckham – who played for the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy throughout his career – avoided prosecution on a speeding charge because of a technicality.
Although the star had accepted he drove a loaned Bentley at a speed of 59mph in a 40mph zone in January 2018, he didn’t face further action because the notice of intended prosecution wasn’t received until one day after the statutory 14-day limit.
