A MAN who was issued a ticket for using a mobile phone while driving claims the light police saw in his car was from the passenger’s phone, not his.

Aslan Tariq, 27, of Whipps Cross in Leytonstone, was driving with his family when he was pulled over by police who accused him of breaking the law.

Mr Tariq’s brother was sitting in the passenger seat using his phone when the incident took place in Lea Bridge Road, Leytonstone, at 6.30pm on Friday, March 3.

The investment banker filmed his 20 minute argument with officers over the ticket and it has been viewed by thousands of people online.

He said: “My brother was sitting in the passenger seat using his phone. The policewoman must have seen the light from his phone and she signalled to her colleagues to pull me over.

“She then accused me of driving while using my phone. I said how was it possible in the dark to even determine it was my phone?

“It is really ridiculous and I am really angry about it because I am being prosecuted for something I haven’t done.”

Mr Tariq’s sister, his wife and his wife’s cousin were sitting in the backseat of his car and witnessed the argument.

After the policewoman wrote on the ticket that Mr Tariq’s mate was sitting in the passenger’s seat, not his brother, he refused to sign the ticket. While arguing with police Mr Tariq who says he “talks with his hands” was confronted by a sergeant for waving a pen around.

He said to Mr Tariq: “You’re flashing a pointed object around in my face. This is where I come into my remit mate. You listen to me. You don’t want to flash a pointed object around at me.”

Mr Tariq then signed another ticket stating it was his brother in the passenger seat. He was issued with a £200 fine and is awaiting a summons to court.

He added: “The whole thing is completely absurd. I am always very careful about driving and never use my phone at the wheel.

“My family were sitting in the back seat looking out at it all and they were afraid and they thought I was going to get arrested.

“My sister was due to get married the next day and it put a dampener on the celebrations.”

Since 2003 it has been illegal to touch a mobile phone while driving. The fixed penalty notice for using a phone while driving was last week doubled to £200.

Also, previously drivers caught with their phones received three points on their licence. That has now been doubled to six points.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “At around 6.30pm on Friday March 3 an officer from the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command issued a man with a ticket for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving on Lea Bridge Road, E10.

“The driver spoke with two officers - a police constable and a police sergeant - at the location for around 20 minutes.

“The man was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice and told that he will receive a letter with advice on what happens next. No complaint has been received at this time.”

To watch the video click here.