Bond villain Steven Berkoff fined £400 after running woman over on Oxford Street

The actor Steven Berkoff was found guilty of driving without due care and attention after knocking a woman down on New Year's Eve (Getty Images)

Steven Berkoff, a luminary of the British film and theatre scene, best known for playing Bond villain General Orlov in Octopussy, has been fined £400 after knocking a woman over in his car.

The actor, director and playwright, 76, was found guilty of driving without due care and attention by City of London Magistrates.

Mr Berkoff knocked down Fiona Scully while he was driving along Oxford Street, London before leaping from his VW Beetle to say “I didn’t touch you,” a court heard yesterday.

Ms Scully, who subsequently received hospital treatment and used a stick for ten days, was knocked over after Mr Berkoff overtook a car which had stopped to let her cross the road.

She told City of London magistrates: “I was quite shocked at the time and am still quite shocked that he didn’t say ‘Are you OK?’

“There was no apparent concern or offer of assistance. He struck me as a very aggressive man in a rush.”

The incident took place on New Year’s Eve. Mr Berkoff, who represented himself in court, said: “I was totally shocked and somewhat agitated because I couldn’t believe someone would walk straight in front of the car.

“I didn’t lose my temper, but I was angry because of the situation. Had they looked round they would have certainly seen me.’

He continued: “I was shocked how they had suddenly rushed. I sounded my horn and slowly pulled out and so it would be impossible to hit anybody unless they had run out in front of the car. If they were to be hit it would mean I would have to speed around the corner.”

Magistrates ruled in Ms Scully’s favour. Chair of the bench Dr Andrew Pairmley, said: “We find you guilty of driving without due care and attention. We find the witness' evidence credible. We felt in these circumstances your standard of driving fell below that of a reasonable and competent driver.”

Mr Berkoff was given three penalty points to be added to his UK driving licence when it is restored. He was banned for driving for six months in February after jumping a red light.

The actor was fined £350 for driving without due care and attention and £50 for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, making a total of £400. He was also ordered to pay £250 towards prosecution costs and a £35 victim surcharge.