EastEnders Star Shane Richie Denies Drink-Driving Charge
EastEnders Star Shane Richie Denies Drink-Driving Charge
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Key Points
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Prosecutor Vladimir Silea said Tesco staff recorded footage showing Richie holding a large vape beside his Hyundai, which reportedly had a flat tyre. When staff told him vaping was prohibited because of fire risks, he allegedly replied, “It’s not smoking” and “This is not a vape,” before telling an employee, “I don’t give a f***.”
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According to the prosecution account reported by Daily Mail, officers initially made numerous unsuccessful attempts to obtain a roadside breath sample, leading to Richie’s arrest for failing to provide a specimen before he was taken to Harlow police station.
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Richie’s defence solicitor, Raj Chada, said his client was not commenting because “criminal proceedings are active” and asked that his privacy be respected while the case proceeds.
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After the arrest and court appearance, Richie reportedly returned to filming EastEnders as Alfie Moon. Reports said BBC managers addressed the matter with him but decided to continue supporting his role on the programme.
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Beyond EastEnders, Richie has presented BBC game shows including Reflex, Win Your Wish List and Decimate, and finished fourth on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020.
EastEnders star Shane Richie pleaded not guilty to drink-driving at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. The 62-year-old actor, who plays Alfie Moon on the BBC soap, appeared by video link after police arrested him at a Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex on July 29. Examiner Live reported that a breath test recorded 65 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath — nearly double England's legal limit of 35 micrograms. Richie was granted bail and is due to stand trial on November 17, 2027.
The arrest followed a dispute at the petrol station. Plymouth Herald reported that staff confronted Richie about vaping, telling him it was a fire risk. Richie allegedly responded by saying, "It's not smoking" before making an obscene remark to an employee. Police made several failed attempts to obtain a roadside breath sample before arresting him for failing to provide one.
The Petrol Station Incident and Arrest
The trouble began when Richie attended a Tesco petrol station in Harlow on July 29. Staff filmed him holding a large vape beside his white Hyundai, which had a flat tyre. When employees said vaping was prohibited due to fire safety rules, Richie disputed the claim. Daily Mail reported he told them, "It's not smoking" and "This is not a vape." After a heated exchange, he allegedly told an employee he did not care about the rules. Police arrived and attempted to get a roadside breath sample multiple times without success, leading to his arrest.
Legal Proceedings and Court Appearance
Richie appeared in court under his real name, Shane Roche. The court heard he was in a hotel in northern England and appeared by video link. He briefly lost connection during the hearing and apologized to the judge. Prosecutor Vladimir Silea outlined the case against him, citing the breath test result of 65 micrograms — roughly 86 percent above the legal limit. Richie's defence solicitor, Raj Chada, said his client would not comment while criminal proceedings were active. Leeds Live reported the court granted Richie unconditional bail, meaning he faces no reporting or travel restrictions before trial.
EastEnders Role and Career Background
Richie has played Alfie Moon on EastEnders since 2002 and is a well-known television presenter. After his arrest, he reportedly continued filming the BBC soap. Reports suggest BBC managers spoke with him about the incident but decided to keep him in his role. Beyond EastEnders, Richie has presented game shows including Reflex, Win Your Wish List and Decimate. He also finished fourth on I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020. Examiner Live noted that his trial is scheduled for November 17, 2027, more than three years away.
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