Moment Smirnoff heiress and ex-Miss Russia is caught driving through Hyde Park while on her phone by road safety activist CyclingMikey’ – as she’s fined more than £900
- Russian model Marinika Smirnova, 40, was on phone in her luxury Porsche 911
- Filmed by YouTuber ‘CyclingMikey’ who has caught other celebrities in the past
A Smirnoff vodka heiress and former Miss Russia has been fined nearly £1,000 after a road safety activist caught her driving through Hyde Park while on her phone.
Marinika Smirnova, 40, was in her luxury Porsche near her six-bedroom £4.7million home in Kensington, West London, when she was filmed by YouTuber ‘CyclingMikey’.
The Russian socialite, model and dancer was convicted at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court of using a handheld mobile phone while driving after she failed to appear.
She was fined £220 plus £620 costs, told to pay a £88 surcharge and received six penalty points after the incident on West Carriage Drive on December 10 last year.
CyclingMikey – real name Michael Van Erp, 50, – had been walking his bike through the 350-acre royal park when he spotted Smirnova at the wheel of her red 3.8-litre Porsche 911 Targa 4S, which has the personalised number plate ‘SM11NOV’.
Marinika Smirnova was seen on her phone on West Carriage Drive in Hyde Park last December
Smirnova was at the wheel of her Porsche 911 Targa 4S, which has the numberplate ‘SM11NOV’
Marinika Smirnova is a 40-year-old Smirnoff vodka heiress and former Miss Russia
Marinika Smirnova is a socialite, model and professional dancer who lives in Kensington
The Zimbabwe-born Dutchman posted the encounter with Smirnova on his YouTube channel and the GoPro footage was also played in court to magistrates.
How CyclingMikey has helped prosecutions against Guy Ritchie and Frank Lampard
CyclingMikey – real name Michael Van Erp, 50 – has previously captured other celebrity motorists using their phones while behind the wheel.
These include film director Guy Ritchie who was banned from driving for six months in July 2020.
In September 2020, CyclingMikey caught Chris Eubank running a red traffic light in Hyde Park after challenging him for using his phone.
The former boxer was later handed three penalty points and told to pay £280 in fines, court costs and fees.
CyclingMikey also helped bring a prosecution against Frank Lampard for allegedly using his phone behind the wheel of his £250,000 Mercedes G wagon in April 2021.
But the ex-footballer, represented by celebrity lawyer Mr Loophole, denied this – and the case was dropped by prosecutors in January 2022 because they could not prove he was driving.
Mr Van Erp told the trial: ‘It was 1pm and I was walking my bike on the pavement in Hyde Park and I noticed a red Porsche in the queue of traffic.
‘I noticed the driver was using a mobile phone. She had her head down in her lap and I could clearly see the driver was on her phone.’
Van Erp circled around the rear of the Porsche and pedalled up to the driver’s side.
He added: ‘I saw the lit-up screen on the phone and some changes in the apps she was navigating through. As I leaned in the female driver put the phone away and looked at me – a disdainful look and I don’t blame her for that.
‘I did not recognise the driver, but I have since searched her and she is a bit of a celebrity. I look for road behaviours, not particular people or particular cars, although I do admire her good personal plate.’
Smirnova did not respond to the police offer of a fixed penalty and applied to adjourn the trial at short notice because she is out of the country.
However, this was rejected by the magistrates, who convicted her. Bench Chairman John Soones said: ‘The phone was in her hand and we feel it was being used.’
He also told Van Erp at the trial’s conclusion: ‘What you do is sensible and you assist the police in collecting evidence.’
Smirnova is the daughter of Elena Kolesnikova, a Soviet gymnast champion, and the great niece of Pierre Smirnoff – one of the famous Smirnoff brothers who were official suppliers of Smirnoff Vodka to the Court of Emperor Nicholas II.
The socialite – who has previously been seen rubbing shoulders with stars including Johnny Depp and Jonathan Rhys Meyers – also appeared on reality TV show ‘Meet the Russians’ in 2013, documenting the lives of wealthy Russians in London.
Smirnova was caught driving while on her phone by CyclingMikey – real name Michael Van Erp (pictured), 50, who has previously captured other celebrity motorists using their phones
Smirnova has been pictured with stars including Johnny Depp (left) and Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Smirnova (pictured) is the daughter of Elena Kolesnikova, a Soviet gymnast champion
Marinika Smirnova is photographed arriving at Ascot racecourse in Berkshire in July 2013
CyclingMikey has previously captured other celebrity motorists using their phones while behind the wheel such as film director Guy Ritchie who was banned from driving for six months in July 2020.
In September 2020, CyclingMikey caught Chris Eubank running a red traffic light in Hyde Park after challenging him for using his phone – with the former boxer later handed three penalty points and told to pay £280 in fines, court costs and fees.
CyclingMikey also helped bring a prosecution against Frank Lampard for allegedly using his phone behind the wheel of his £250,000 Mercedes G wagon in April 2021.
But the former footballer, represented by celebrity lawyer Mr Loophole, denied this – and the case was dropped by prosecutors in January 2022 because they could not prove he was driving.
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