Mykola Yakovetskyi (20) said his father was in the war-torn country and it was not always possible to get a signal to speak to him and check on his welfare.
And he told the Magistrate’s Court: “I am a very law-abiding citizen.”
But he admitted the offence.
The court heard that he was seen at 09:15 on the morning of 7 July, using his phone while driving his red Peugeot in the area of The Parade.
Relief Magistrate Sarah Fitz fined him £200 but decided not to endorse his licence.