Designer Cath Kidston faces possible driving ban

Fashion designer Cath Kidston has apologised to a court for looking at her mobile phone while stuck in a traffic jam in Hyde Park.

The entrepreneur, 64, admitted using a handheld mobile phone while at the wheel of a blue Mercedez Benz on West Carriage Drive on 31 January this year.

Listed as Catherine Isabel Audrey Kidston the businesswoman, of Notting Hill, did not attend Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court because she is abroad.

She had entered a guilty plea using the court online system.

Prosecutor Abigail Akano said: ‘This was an incident that occurred on 31 January this year.

‘An officer on duty was in full uniform when he saw the blue Mercedes driven by the defendant.

‘The defendant had a mobile phone in their hand, in their left hand, the screen was illuminated.

‘The defendant was operating the device with her right hand.’

When stopped and spoken to she said she was checking a message on her phone, the court heard.

‘It was pointed out she would be reported for that matter,’ said the prosecutor.

Kidston sent an email to the court which said: ‘I admit looking at the phone on the seat. I had been in a long stationary traffic jam and looked at my phone when the traffic started to move. I apologise.’

She already had six points on her licence following two previous speeding matters on 22 May 2022 and 12 May 2020.

Sentencing was adjourned until 18 October when disqualification will be considered.

Kidston was awarded an MBE for her services to business in February 2010. She sold her company, Cath Kidston, the same year but remains the company’s creative director.

In 2014 the company sold out of a children’s guards-themed tank top modelled by 17-month-old Prince George.
ENDS