Noel Gallagher handed 6-month driving ban despite never having …
Noel Gallagher is handed six-month driving ban despite never getting a licence, after a series of speeding tickets issued to his £80,000 chauffeur driven Range Rover went unpaid
Noel Gallagher[2] was today handed a six-month driving ban, despite never having a licence – after a series of speeding tickets issued to his £80,000 chauffeur-driven Range Rover went unpaid.
The Oasis star, 56, admitted failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of his black Autobiography on January 5 and February 9 this year.
Gallagher was handed a £742 fine and six penalty points in June after the motor was caught speeding in west London[3] last October.
The car had been clocked by a speed camera doing 41mph on a 30mph stretch of the A40 near Edgware Road station.
His driver Alan Neeson then wrote to Willesden Magistrates’ Court, explaining he had been at the wheel at the time of the speeding incident while Gallagher was the registered keeper of the vehicle.
Noel Gallagher was today handed a six-month driving ban, despite never having a licence – after a series of speeding tickets issued to his £80,000 chauffeur-driven Range Rover went unpaid
Mr Neeson said the initial charge sheet was never received and the final reminder was not received until mid-January because of the postal strike before Christmas.
Gallagher, of Petersfield, Hants, admitted two counts of failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court and the case went ahead in his absence today.
Abigail Akano, prosecuting, said: ‘On 5 January 2023, for the offence of failing to identify the driver, a notice of intended prosecution was sent to the registered keeper’s address with regard to a traffic matter, this was a speeding matter.
‘A notice for the identification of the driver was allowed within 28 days.
‘A second reminder was then sent giving an extra seven days for the defendant to respond. There was no response to the two notices sent.
‘On 9 February 2023, in relation to the same vehicle, a form was sent out to the registered keeper to the same address.
‘They were given 28 days to establish the identification of the driver and they were again given an extra seven days.’
Ms Akano said there had been two speeding offences: ‘On 2 January 2023 at 14:52 the speed recorded was 41 (mph) in a 30 (mph zone).
‘On 30 November 2022 the speed recorded at 13:42 was 35 (mph) in a 30 (mph zone).’
In a letter written to court, Gallagher wrote: ‘I did not personally receive the notice or the reminder and neither were brought to my attention by my staff.
‘I have a team who assist me with my business and personal matters, which includes correspondence to my home address.
‘I acknowledge my responsibility to safeguard against important correspondence not being replied to.
‘Once my management team notified me of receipt of this letter, I identified my willingness to comply.
‘I am content with the court to proceed in my absence. Please note, I am currently working abroad.’
The court was told Gallagher already had six points on his licence.
Magistrate Diane Chitty said: ‘There will be 18 points on the licence, the two offences are six points each and historically there are six points.
‘That means with a total minimum of 12 points, Mr Gallagher will be banned from driving for six months. He did write to say he was aware of that ban.
‘The six-month ban will run from today. Mr Gallagher must not drive during that period.’
Gallagher was fined a total of £1,340 for the offences, costs of £110 and a victim surcharge of £536.
Ms Chitty added: ‘The total, £1986, is to be paid and we will give seven days to pay this case. A letter will be sent to his address.
‘A collection order will be made. In the unlikely event of non-payment a bailiff may attend the address.’
In April the High Flying Birds frontman told Radio 2’s Zoe Ball that he gave up trying to drive in the 90s after being mobbed by fans during a lesson.
He said: ‘I’m in a red Nissan Micra with a massive great big triangle on the top of it with an L, with all these kids coming out.
‘This is at the height of Oasis mania. I was like, “never, never again am I getting in a car”.’