A 47-year-old Margate man was fined £500 and ordered to pay £175 costs when he was found guilty today (Wednesday, September 24) of driving whilst using a mobile phone.

Adam Papa-Adams of Palm Bay Avenue had been summonsed to appear before Thanet magistrates after he was stopped by police at 12.45am on August 26, 2007, in Gladstone Road, Broadstairs.

The summons was issued when Mr Papa-Adams declined to pay the £60 fixed penalty and accept three points on his driving licence. He claimed he was using a hands-free device in his Vauxhall Corsa car and pleaded not guilty at court where he chose not to be legally represented.

Insp Nick Fordom and Sgt Pete Reynolds had been on patrol in Broadstairs when they spotted him and pulled him over.

Insp Fordom said: “I hope that the size of the fine in this case will serve as a deterrent to the drivers who still persist in using a mobile phone whilst they are driving.

“All evidence shows that using a phone at the wheel is distracting and therefore dangerous for the driver and other road users.”