MUNISHWAR Persaud, charged with using his cell phone while driving, appeared yesterday before Magistrate Priya Beharry and was fined $7,500 with the alternative of spending two weeks in jail.

Persaud (no address given), pleaded guilty to the charge which said, on August 4, at Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, he drove motor lorry GKK 781 while he was using a hand-held phone.

Persaud claimed that he works on a sales truck and that he took the call because it was from a businessman who wanted to request items.

According to Police Corporal Munilall Seetaram, prosecuting, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr. Paul Slowe saw Persaud using his phone and stopped him.