Richard Hammond, the former Top Gear presenter, was caught speeding twice in separate luxury cars within 20 days. The 56-year-old was fined £999 after being clocked driving a Porsche at 68mph in a 50mph zone, and later a Bentley at 82mph in a 70mph limit.
Caught Speeding in Two Luxury Cars
West Mercia Police brought two prosecutions against Hammond, using speed camera images taken in Herefordshire. The first offence occurred on December 2 last year at around 1pm on the A40 in Pencraig, where his Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo was recorded at 68mph in a 50mph limit. The second took place on December 22 at about 11:45am on the A50 Rudhall Overbridge, when his Bentley Continental GT was caught at 82mph in a 70mph limit.
Court Proceedings and Penalties
Hammond pleaded guilty through his lawyers to two charges of speeding. At Telford Magistrates' Court last week, magistrate Ann Minton ordered him to pay a total of £1,771, comprising fines of £333 and £666, £240 in costs, and victim surcharges of £532. He also received seven penalty points on his licence.
Police Efforts to Locate Hammond
Police sent speeding tickets to several of Hammond's properties, including a Grade II* listed castle in Herefordshire bought in 2012, a £1 million farm estate near Hereford, and a £2 million mansion near Abergavenny in Wales. Letters were returned marked 'addressee gone away' before being successfully delivered to the Welsh address, where more than 30 vehicles are registered. Hammond also faced allegations of failing to identify himself as the driver, but these were withdrawn by the police. In a letter to the court, his solicitor stated: 'He replied identifying himself as the driver. He sent the reply by First Class post. He posted the reply himself.'
