Noel Gallagher is facing a driving ban over a series of speeding tickets – despite famously never learning how to drive.
The Oasis star and High Flying Birds frontman uses a £120,000 chauffeur-driven Range Rover to get around, after giving up on the idea of getting his own licence in the 90s at the height of the Brit Pop era.
Despite his status as a non-driver, the Evening Standard revealed in June that Gallagher was in trouble with the law over a speeding ticket issued for his Range Rover.
Gallagher’s driver held his hands up to the mess, confessing that he had been at the wheel of the speeding car and he was responsible for Metropolitan Police letters going unanswered.
However, it was Gallagher himself as the registered owner of the Range Rover who was prosecuted, ending up with six penalty points on his licence, a £742 fine and costs and court fees totalling £396.
Newly-released court documents now show that the Don’t Look Back In Anger hitmaker vowed to sort his house out after the prosecution, but not before he was hit with two more speeding tickets that had gone unanswered.
Through lawyers, the Brit Pop icon pleaded guilty at Lavender Hill magistrates court this week to two charges of failing to give information to the police identifying the driver of his vehicle.
He now faces a further 12 penalty points on his licence and the prospect of an automatic six-month road ban.
Gallagher, currently touring the US with his band, told Radio 2’s Zoe Ball in April how he gave up driving lessons in the 90s after being mobbed by fans.
“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”, he said. “This is at the height of Oasis mania. I was like, ‘never, never again am I getting in a car’.”
When he was first prosecuted at the end of May, after his car was clocked at 41mph on a 30mph stretch of the A40 near Edgware Road station in October last year, Gallagher’s driver Alan Neeson wrote to the court to explain why police letters to the star’s 18th Century country estate in Hampshire had been ignored.
“I am solely responsible for correspondence and other matters regarding vehicles”, he said.
“Even though the vehicle involved in said offence is registered to Mr Gallagher, (he) does not hold a driving license hence why I am sending this statement.
“The initial offence charge sheet was never received and the final reminder was not received until mid-January. I believe the reason for this is, as well publicised, there was a postal strike before Christmas which I believe led to this delay.
“This coupled with the Christmas post is the only logical explanation as to why these letter was received so late.”
In the latest prosecutions, Gallagher’s Range Rover was caught out doing 35mph on November 30 last year and 41mph on January 2, each time breaking the 30mph limit.
Court documents show letters threatening prosecution were sent out on December 6, January 10, January 13, and February 17, but not responded to.
The musician has hired BCL Solicitors to represent him in legal proceedings, and he submitted a statement to the court.
“I did not personally receive the notice or the reminder, and neither were brought to my attention by my staff”, he said.
“I have a team of people who assist me with the management of my personal and business matters, which includes correspondence that is sent to my home address.
“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.”
Gallagher said after the previous court case “necessary improvements have been implemented”, adding: “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.
“I confirm my willingness to pay the financial penalties imposed by the court.
“I understand the court will be considering disqualification and I am content for the court to proceed in my absence. Please note that I am currently abroad due to work commitments.”
A magistrates sitting in the Single Justice Procedure adjourned the case against Gallagher until August 29, when a court will consider disqualification and any financial penalties.
Gallagher’s legal woes come as his ex-wife Meg Mathews is prosecuted for drink driving after a book launch event in Cornwall.
She was twice the drink drive limit when she crashed into another car, and was handed a 20-month road ban on Friday.
