EastEnders star Shane Richie has been handed a six-month driving ban after admitting to exceeding the speed limit in Surrey.
The 62-year-old actor, whose legal name is Shane Roche, was caught travelling at 35mph in a 30mph zone.
Guildford Magistrates’ Court imposed the ban on September 23, alongside a £500 fine. Mr Richie was additionally ordered to pay £320 covering court costs and a surcharge.
The actor, renowned for his long-running portrayal of Alfie Moon in the BBC soap opera, was recorded by a speed camera driving a Ford along Reigate Hill on March 15.
Shane Richie was handed a six-month driving ban
|
GETTYThe stretch of road is a steep incline connecting to a nearby M25 junction.
Mr Richie submitted his guilty plea in writing, with the case handled privately through the Single Justice Procedure.
In a written note submitted to the court, Mr Richie attributed the offence to being hounded by photographers in connection with his marital breakdown.
He told magistrates he had been tailed from the EastEnders set in Borehamwood, where he films up to six days a week, all the way to his home.
Shane Richie said he had been followed by press when caught speeding
|
GETTY
The actor said he was also followed into Reigate and even to local shops.
“It’s no secret now that I’m going through a very public divorce and for the last several months the British press have suspected this and have been constantly baiting me and almost always looking for a reaction from me to sell their newspapers,” he stated.
He acknowledged the incident was not justified by the press attention.
“This is not an excuse for going five miles over the limit, but just a reason why I may have sped up on that particular road,” Mr Richie added.
Christie Goddard, Shane Richie and their three children in 2017 | GETTYBeyond his iconic EastEnders role, which began in 2002, Mr Richie has enjoyed a varied career spanning television presenting, game shows and pantomime. He finished fourth on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! during the 2020 series.
The Tadworth, Surrey resident is also facing a separate allegation of drink-driving, which he denies. The charge relates to an incident at a petrol station in Harlow, Essex on July 29.
Prosecutors allege Mr Richie provided a breath reading of 65 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, nearly double the legal threshold of 35 micrograms.
He appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court earlier this month in connection with that charge
Shane Richie is also facing a separate allegation of drink-driving, which he denies
|
PA
The legal limit stands at 35 micrograms, meaning the alleged sample was nearly twice the permitted level.
Mr Richie attended Colchester Magistrates’ Court earlier in September to enter his plea on the charge, which he denied.
His trial for the drink-driving allegation is not expected to take place until 17 November 2027.
Comments are closed.