EastEnders actor Shane Richie pleaded not guilty to a drink-driving charge at Colchester Magistrates Court, following an incident at a Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex, according to court reports and police details. The 62-year-old soap star, who appears in the BBC soap under his real name of Shane Roche, entered his plea during a virtual court appearance.
The Petrol Station Incident and Arrest
According to prosecutor Vladimir Silea, police were called to the Tesco petrol station in Harlow shortly after 11 p.m. on July 29 after staff reported an argument. Footage captured by employees showed Richie holding a large vape on the forecourt while standing near his white Hyundai, which reportedly had a flat tyre. When staff informed him that smoking and vaping were prohibited on the premises due to fire risks, Richie replied, “It’s not smoking” and “This is not a vape,” before walking away and telling an employee, “I don’t give a f***,” as documented by Daily Mail coverage.
Mr Silea told the court that when officers arrived, they attempted to conduct a roadside breath test. After numerous attempts yielded no sample, Richie was arrested for failing to provide a specimen, according to the prosecution. He was subsequently transported to Harlow police station, where a breath test yielded a lower reading of 55mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal drink-driving limit in England and Wales is 35mg.
Appearing by videolink from a hotel room up North while wearing a tan jacket and grey t-shirt, Richie listened as District Judge Christopher Maynard presided over the case. The hearing experienced minor technical disruptions when Richie briefly switched devices from an iPad to his phone, prompting an apology from the actor. Defence counsel Raj Chada also experienced connection issues during the proceedings. District Judge Maynard adjourned the case for a full day’s trial scheduled for November 17 at 10 a.m. at Colchester Magistrates Court, granting Richie unconditional bail to attend in person.
Return to EastEnders Set and Production Context
Following his court appearance and initial arrest, Richie returned to filming on the north London set of EastEnders, stepping back into his role as Alfie Moon alongside co-star Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater. According to reports cited by Daily Mail and originally detailed by The Sun, BBC bosses addressed the matter with the actor directly but opted to stick by him, with no further internal disciplinary action taken beyond a reprimand.
Insiders close to the production noted that Richie maintains a demanding schedule on the soap opera, particularly as his character operates as the landlord of the Queen Vic public house. Production sources cited by Daily Mail indicated that cast and crew members have offered support as the actor manages his workload alongside upcoming tour rehearsals.
Key Details of the Case
- Defendant: Shane Roche (professionally known as Shane Richie), age 62.
- Charge: Drink-driving, stemming from an incident on July 29.
- Breath Test Result: 55mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath at Harlow police station (legal limit is 35mg), according to prosecutor Vladimir Silea.
- Court Date: A full day’s trial is set for November 17 at Colchester Magistrates Court before District Judge Christopher Maynard.
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