MOTORISTS who use their mobile phones while driving have been given a strong warning after a businessman was fined £500 for the offence.

Issuing the fine, believed to be one of the highest handed out for the offence in Blackburn, to Shakeel Ahmed Haji, magistrates said that the court would not tolerate people phoning whilst behind the wheel.

Haji, 31, of The Dene in Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using a hand held phone while driving a Land Rover Freelander in Blakewater Road, Blackburn, yards from the Greenbank police headquarters.

The magistrates chairman told him: "You are putting not only yourself at risk but also the general public."

Haji also admitted a breach of the peace committed at the same time and was bound over to keep the peace in £100 for six months.

A charge of using threatening behaviour was discontinued.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said the incident occurred at 2.30pm on October 30 when a police officer in plain clothes saw Haji drive out of the Mercedes garage close to the police station while using a mobile phone.

The officer approached when Haji's Freelander stopped at the lights and pointed out the offence.

"The defendant ignored the officer until he was asked to exit his vehicle at which point he became verbally abusive," said Mrs White.

"He questioned why he should give them his details and was eventually arrested for the offences."

Basharat Ditta, defending, said his client accepted that his behaviour amounted to a breach of the peace but asked the magistrates to imagine his client's position.

"He pulls out of the Mercedes garage and all of a sudden a man in plain clothes pulls at his door and asks him to get out," said Mr Ditta.

"There was an argument and at that point the officer identified himself.

"My client was upset at the way he was questioned about the legitimacy of his vehicle when there was nothing to suggest there was anything wrong with it," added Mr Ditta who said his client accepted being on the phone briefly as he left the garage.

New legislation to increase the penalty for using a hand-held phone whilst driving came into force in February 2007.

The original £30 fine was increased to £60 and three penalty points on a licence, but magistrates can impose a fine of up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.