EastEnders star Shane Richie has been banned from driving for six months after he was caught speeding. The 62-year-old, best known for playing Alfie Moon in the long-running BBC soap since 2002, is currently awaiting a trial next year over an allegation of drink-driving.
Court appearance over speeding charge
Court records have revealed that Mr Richie, real name Shane Roche, received a six-month driving ban last week. It came after he admitted a separate speeding charge. Richie was fined £500 and also ordered to pay £120 costs and a £200 victim surcharge by Magistrate Sheila Hewitt, sitting at Guildford Magistrates’ Court.
Entering a plea deal in writing, Mr Richie’s case was dealt with in private in the Single Justice Procedure on Wednesday, September 23.
Drink-driving allegation
Earlier in the month, Richie appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court to face a drink-driving charge. He is accused of driving a white Hyundai car in Church Langley Way, Harlow, Essex while above the legal limit for alcohol on July 29. Mr Richie is alleged to have provided a breath sample of 65 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, which is above the legal limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol.
Appearing by video-link before Colchester Magistrates’ Court on September 9, Mr Richie pleaded not guilty to a charge of drink-driving. Police attended a Tesco petrol station in Church Langley Way at 11.15pm on July 29, Vladimir Silea, prosecuting, said. Mr Silea told the court that officers ‘commenced the drink and drug driving procedure’ at the police station, and the lower reading provided was 65 micrograms of alcohol.
Trial date set
At one point, Mr Richie dropped off the video-link to the court and when the connection was re-established he apologised to the judge, saying: “Sorry, I’m in a hotel up north.” Mr Richie was bailed by Deputy District Judge Christopher Maynard until November 17, 2027, when he is due to stand trial at the same court.
Outside of his work on EastEnders, Mr Richie finished in fourth place on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here in 2020, has hosted a number of gameshows for the BBC, and regularly takes part in pantomimes.
