Millionaire property owner Fergus Wilson has been found guilty of using a mobile phone while driving.

Wilson, who together with wife Judith owns around 700 properties for rent around Kent, appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with using his phone while driving along College Road, Maidstone, on May 2 last year .

The property tycoon, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, told the court he had actually been holding a “cuboid” drinks carton to the side of his head and singing along to music when he was pulled over by police officers.

Magistrates said they had “doubts about his version of events” and decided the evidence of the two arresting officers, who saw Wilson using a phone, was more credible.

Wilson, 59, of Heath Road, Boughton Monchelsea, was fined £565 and his driving licence endorsed with three points.