Former Premier League football manager and television pundit Alan Pardew has been handed a six-month driving ban after being caught speeding multiple times in his high-performance Porsche Macan, valued at approximately £80,000.
The Offences and The Court's Decision
The 62-year-old TalkSport personality appeared at Bexley Magistrates' Court in south-east London, where he pleaded guilty to a speeding offence that took his penalty points total to twelve. The latest incident occurred on February 21 this year, when an automatic camera caught him driving at 26mph in a 20mph zone on the A205, The Avenue, in Clapham, south London, at 12.03pm.
Pardew had already accumulated nine points on his licence from three previous speeding offences committed on 20 March 2022, 25 May 2022, and 19 May 2023. Three of his four speeding violations were for exceeding 20mph limits.
Plea to Avoid a Ban Rejected
Arguing against a mandatory ban, Pardew and his representative, Anne-Marie Critchley, stated that he needed his licence to care for his frail 93-year-old mother, who lives in Selsey, near Chichester.
Pardew explained to the court that his mother is emotionally vulnerable following the loss of her husband and his brother this year, and that she wishes to remain in her own home. He drives her to London to see family 'once or twice a week' and to medical appointments, fearing she would face 'total isolation' without his support as she is unable to use public transport.
However, magistrate Sonia Case ruled that while the court had sympathy, the circumstances did not meet the legal threshold of 'exceptional hardship' required to avoid a driving ban.
Apology and a Warning to Other Drivers
Speaking to the Daily Mail after the hearing, Pardew issued a public apology and a caution to fellow motorists. 'I apologise really, in terms of getting the driving ban,' he said. 'Three of my speeding offences were for going over a 20mph limit, so maybe it's a warning to everyone not to lose concentration in those 20mph zones, as it's so easy to do.'
In addition to the six-month disqualification, Pardew, of Warlingham, Surrey, was ordered to pay a total of £1,034 in costs and fines.
A Career of Highs and Controversies
Alan Pardew is a well-known figure in British football, both for his playing and managerial career. As a player, he is fondly remembered by Crystal Palace fans for scoring the winning goal in the 1990 FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
His management career included spells at clubs such as West Ham United, Newcastle United, and Crystal Palace, leading West Ham to the 2006 FA Cup Final and Newcastle to a fifth-place Premier League finish in 2012. His career has also been marked by controversy, notably a seven-game ban and £160,000 fine for head-butting Hull City's David Meyler in 2014.
This case follows a similar ruling last week where broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher was also banned from driving for six months after accumulating 12 penalty points for speeding.
