Real Housewives of London Star Amanda Cronin Receives Six-Month Driving Ban
Amanda Cronin, the 57-year-old former model and skincare entrepreneur famed for her appearance on The Real Housewives of London, has been banned from the roads today following her fourth speeding offence in under three years. The reality television personality, often noted for having the 'longest legs in Belgravia', appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court where she pleaded guilty to driving her blue V8 Bentley Continental GT at 24mph in a 20mph zone on the A4.
Details of the Speeding Incident and Previous Offences
The latest offence occurred at 6.20pm on May 26 last year near the junction with Lexham Gardens in South Kensington. Cronin, who resides at Grosvenor Gardens Mews North in Belgravia, was caught exceeding the speed limit by 4mph in her £250,000 luxury vehicle. For this violation, she received three penalty points, which brought her total to twelve points on her driving licence due to previous speeding convictions.
Her prior offences included speeding in 30mph zones on October 10, 2023, August 21, 2024, and November 3, 2024, for which she already had nine points. Under UK law, accumulating twelve points triggers an automatic six-month driving disqualification, which the court enforced despite Cronin's pleas.
Cronin's Appeal and Personal Circumstances
During the hearing, Cronin, dressed in a white cashmere-style coat, Prince of Wales check trousers, and tan high-heel boots, argued that a driving ban would cause significant hardship. She emphasised her role in caring for her 85-year-old mother, Janet, who lives in Hampshire and relies on her for transportation to medical appointments.
Cronin detailed her mother's health struggles, including being in remission from cervical cancer, having two prosthetic lenses in her eyes, a degenerative back condition, osteoporosis, and recent double hip surgery. She also mentioned her mother's vertigo, chest infections post-COVID, and a recent fall on wet leaves that injured her face and wrist. Cronin expressed fear that her mother would not accept alternative transport like taxis during rush hour, potentially missing vital medical care.
She told the court, 'I am deeply embarrassed and ashamed that I am here today. My mother will have to lean on me, and she is a stubborn woman who may not get the care she needs if I do not have my car.' Cronin added that her sister does not drive and her brother has family commitments, leaving her as the primary caregiver.
Court's Decision and Financial Penalties
Bench Chairwoman Jo Caseby acknowledged Cronin's situation but stated that the 'high bar' of proving 'exceptional hardship' had not been met. She said, 'We have a lot of sympathy for your mother and you are clearly a considerate daughter, but there are solutions to these things. You are going to have to put together other arrangements for six months because you are going to be disqualified from driving.'
In addition to the six-month ban, Cronin was fined £146, ordered to pay £130 in costs, and a £58 victim surcharge. The court emphasised that such disqualifications are standard for repeat offenders and rarely overturned.
Background on Amanda Cronin
Amanda Cronin is a well-known figure in entertainment and business, having transitioned from modelling to founding a beauty company and clinic. She is one of six cast members on The Real Housewives of London, which began streaming on Hayu last year, and is also known as the former girlfriend of Wham!'s Andrew Ridgeley. Her high-profile lifestyle and legal troubles have drawn public attention, highlighting the consequences of repeated traffic violations even for celebrities.
This case serves as a reminder of the strict enforcement of driving laws in the UK, particularly in urban areas with low speed limits designed for pedestrian safety. Cronin's ban underscores that personal circumstances, while considered, do not always outweigh the legal requirements for road safety.
