A SELF-EMPLOYED gardener deliberately deleted his call log in a bid to fool police into believing he had not been on the phone while driving.

Defending himself, James Kershaw, 35, of Pill Priory, Lower Priory, Milford Haven, claimed he "never used a mobile while driving" when he represented himself at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court and he had been holding a sunglasses case and singing along to the radio when spotted by PC David Blockwell.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan said the officer "clearly" saw Kershaw talking on his phone as he drove his Isuzu Space Cab down Dredgemans Hill near Haverfordwest.

"Officer Blockwell saw the defendant's lips moving and saw his phone in his hand," Ms Morgan said.

"When he caught up with the defendant, he asked to see his call log. Kershaw initially refused, but then allowed PC Blockwell to see it.

"The officer saw that at the time in question Kershaw had made a call."

Ms Morgan said the officer asked Kershaw to wait while he retrieved a tablet device from his motor cycle so he could take a photograph of the evidence, but by the time he returned Kershaw had "erased the log".

Giving evidence, PC Blockwell confirmed that Kershaw had been "quite evasive" when he asked to see his phone and had "tried to cover up his call history with his hand".

He said Kershaw had deleted his call log, despite being told not to.

The officer also said Kershaw's vehicle had also been caught in motion on a traffic camera at the time the call was made.

Kershaw denied the charge but was found guilty after trail.

He was fined him £200 and saw his licence endorsed with three points.

He must also pay costs of £120.