Banking heiress Kate Rothschild, 40, has been issued a fine and a six-month driving ban after a cyclist witnessed her using her mobile phone while operating her Audi Q7 SUV in Fulham, west London. Rothschild, hailing from the renowned banking dynasty, conceded to the offense but asked the Lavender Hill magistrates to refrain from imposing a driving ban. She emphasized that she needed her car for potential emergencies, particularly in light of her responsibility in caring for her three sons at their secluded countryside retreat.

Despite her plea, the magistrates declined Rothschild’s request and instead handed her a six-month driving disqualification along with a £450 fine. In addition, she was directed to cover court costs and fees amounting to £280.

According to cyclist Beatrice Goater, she saw the Audi at approximately 9:30 am and observed the driver, describing the woman to the courtroom as having “strawberry blonde hair,” and using her cell.

“I am cycling and I pass the vehicle”, she said. “I notice the driver on her phone and I ask her to stop using her phone. She pays no attention to my request.”

As a consequence of using her phone while driving, Rothschild received six penalty points on her driving license, surpassing the threshold of 12 points and triggering an automatic disqualification.

Prior to last week’s hearing, Rothschild submitted a letter to the court which sid that although she owns a house in Fulham, her primary residence is a “very remote” cottage located in the rural countryside of Wiltshire.

“Taxis will often refuse to go up the track and emergency vehicles will not necessarily find it so not having a driver’s licence is really unsafe as my partner is often away and I have two teenage sons and a 2 year old baby boy”, she said. “The thought of being at home with my sons and not being able to get them to a hospital should the need arise terrifies me.”

Having pleaded guilty to the offense of operating a handheld mobile phone while driving, Rothschild was granted a one-week period to settle the fines and financial penalties.

https://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/news/rothschild-heiresss-licence-revoked-after-cyclist-catches-her-using-phone-while-driving/