Noel Gallagher has been banned from driving for six months and fined more than £1,000 over a series of unpaid speeding tickets – despite not holding a driving licence.
The case, addressing unpaid speeding tickets from November 2022 and February this year, was heard at Lavender Hill magistrates court on Wednesday.
The Oasis star’s driver wrote to the court explaining that he had been “solely responsible” for being behind the wheel at the time. In a further letter to the court, Gallagher himself said: “I did not personally receive the notice or the reminder, and neither were brought to my attention by my staff.
“Once my management team notified me about the receipt of the court documentation concerning this matter, the original notice was completed, identifying the driver, and returned.”
Gallagher was fined £1,340 and ordered to pay a £536 court fee and £110 prosecution cost. A further 12 penalty points were handed to Gallagher’s existing six for a prior speeding ticket. He was handed a six-month driving ban for the total 18 points.
It means Gallagher will not himself be able to drive for six months, but can still be chauffeured. He pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to give information to the police identifying the driver of his vehicle.
“I acknowledge that it is my responsibility as the registered keeper of a motor vehicle to ensure that suitable and effective arrangements are in place to safeguard against important correspondence not being dealt with as required,” he said.
In court papers reported by the Evening Standard, Gallagher’s driver wrote to the court explaining why letters had gone unanswered. “I am solely responsible for correspondence and other matters regarding vehicles,” said Alan Neeson.
“Even though the vehicle involved in said offence is registered to Mr Gallagher, [he] does not hold a driving licence, hence why I am sending this statement.”
Gallagher’s Range Rover was travelling at 35mph on 30 November last year and at 41mph on 2 January, on both occasions in 30mph zones.
Court documents showed that prosecution letters were sent out four times between December and February. Gallagher has been given a week to settle the £1,986 bill.
