Filmmaker Guy Ritchie has been banned from driving for six months after a cyclist filmed him texting while he was behind the wheel. The director was spotted typing a message on his phone as he drove his car through London's Hyde Park in November last year. Ritchie has also been ordered to pay a fine of 666 pounds, as well as 166 pounds in prosecution costs and court fees, reports mirror.co.uk. He has already been hauled up thrice previously for speeding offences in March 2017, and February and December last year. Guy Ritchie Believes the Audiences Will Enjoy an Entertaining and Quirky Ride With The Gentlemen

In the video, Ritchie is seen waiting in traffic when the cyclist stops beside him. "Hello my friend," he says when he realises he is being watched. The cyclist 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 drives away as the traffic moves forward. The filmmaker has admitted to being the driver in the video. The Gentlemen: Did You Know This Actor in the Guy Ritchie Film Was Also Shah Rukh Khan’s Co-Star in Ra.One?

Cyclist Mike van Erp sent the video to the police, with the file titled: "Man typing on his mobile phone whilst behind the wheel of his car." The cyclist said as part of his statement: "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." He did not know then the man he was filming was Ritchie.

He said he started filming and reporting drivers on a helmet camera after his father was killed in a road crash while riding a motorcycle. Ritchie pleaded guilty in writing to the latest offence. He was banned from driving for six months by magistrates at the southeast London township of Bromley on Tuesday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2020 07:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).