Television presenter Kirsty Gallacher has failed in her attempt to avoid a six-month driving ban after a judge dismissed her claims that she couldn't afford taxis and had no reliable public transport near her £1.5 million countryside home.
The Court Appeal That Backfired
The 49-year-old broadcaster appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court this week to appeal an automatic driving ban triggered by accumulating penalty points. Gallacher had pleaded guilty to speeding at 35mph in a 30mph zone on April 1 this year, which pushed her to twelve points on her licence due to three previous speeding offences.
During emotional testimony, the mother-of-two described herself as 'broken' and fought back tears while arguing that losing her licence would cause significant hardship. She told the court she relied on driving to care for her two teenage sons, access medical treatment for a benign brain tumour, and commute to work.
Despite admitting to earning £150,000 annually from her presenting role at Gold Radio and having £80,000 in savings, Gallacher claimed she couldn't afford regular taxis or a private driver as she is the sole financial provider for her children.
The Reality Behind the Claims
However, Daily Mail investigations revealed that Gallacher's rural home in Bracknell, Berkshire is just a 15-minute walk from a bus stop adjacent to a gastropub. From there, regular bus services connect to train stations at Bracknell and Maidenhead within approximately 20 minutes, providing direct rail links to London.
Trains from Maidenhead station reach London Paddington in as little as 17 minutes, with standard tickets costing £16.40. The route is also serviced by Elizabeth Line trains, offering frequent connections to the capital.
According to estate agent descriptions of her property, the barn conversion is 'well placed' for access to London Heathrow Airport, while Bracknell station offers regular services to London Waterloo. The area boasts extensive shopping, leisure facilities and schooling options, including proximity to Eton College.
Health Issues and Personal Struggles
Gallacher highlighted significant health challenges during proceedings, revealing she has a benign brain tumour that has left her deaf in one ear and suffering from tinnitus. She requires regular medical appointments in Oxford following recent radiotherapy treatment.
The presenter also referenced a recent assault in London where she was 'kicked like a football' by an unknown attacker. She disclosed that police now believe this was a targeted incident, further compounding her anxiety and personal struggles.
'I'm broken at the moment, from everything,' Gallacher told the court. 'I'm broken from the health issues, exacerbated by the assault. I'm very sad to be standing here and I'm sorry.'
The Judge's Verdict
District Judge Arvind Sharma remained unconvinced by Gallacher's arguments for special treatment. He acknowledged that losing her licence would create difficulties but found them 'manageable' given her financial circumstances.
'I accept that things will be harder for you, but those are all manageable,' Judge Sharma stated. 'I don't accept that your son needs a lift every morning, and you have adequate money saved up that you can use taxis for your children and yourself.'
The judge imposed a six-month driving ban alongside a total fine of £1,044, dismissing Gallacher's appeal entirely.
Previous Driving Offences
This isn't Gallacher's first encounter with driving penalties. In September 2017, she received a two-year ban for drink-driving after being found more than three times over the legal limit. Police had responded to reports of a car being driven erratically in Eton, Berkshire, with breath tests revealing 106 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath against the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
Following her latest court appearance, Gallacher expressed disappointment outside court, criticising the judge for showing 'no empathy' toward her situation. 'I'm just an ordinary mum with plates spinning, I do everything,' she told reporters. 'With my health as well, it's going to be very difficult.'
The ruling means the television personality will need to rely on the public transport connections she claimed were unavailable for the next six months, despite her substantial income and savings.
