A PLUMBER was stopped in Hartlebury after "tailgating" a woman motorist while using a mobile phone.

Mark Grinnell committed the offence in February last year before the law on using mobile phones in moving vehicles came into force, Worcester Crown Court heard.

He denied a charge of dangerous driving but pleaded guilty to careless driving, which was accepted by the prosecution.

Grinnell, aged 35, of Uplands Avenue, Rowley Regis, West Midlands, was fined £700.

Delroy Henry, prosecuting, said Grinnell's driving in his minivan between Hagley and Hartlebury on February 20 was appalling.

He was spotted exceeding the 40mph speed limit on Hagley Causeway by PC Andy Saunders, who decided to follow.

He saw Grinnell following a VW Golf driven by Karen Noone. The van was so close she could not read his numberplate.

Grinnell drove round a traffic island with one hand on the wheel while on the phone. He was also on the phone when he turned right across the A449 into Hartlebury, causing another car to brake sharply.

Sally Hancox, defending, said Grinnell had a clean licence and needed to drive because he was primary carer for his brother, Philip, who was badly disabled after a car crash in 1998.

Recorder Arthur Noble said that the problems emanating from this experience should have made Grinnell a more sensible driver.