Hammond's Double Speeding
Richard Hammond Fined ÂŁ1,771 for Two Speeding Offences in Luxury Cars
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Key Points
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Fines split into two amounts: ÂŁ333 for the first offence and ÂŁ666 for the second, totaling ÂŁ999 in fines; plus ÂŁ240 in costs and victim surcharges of ÂŁ532, bringing the overall bill to ÂŁ1,771.
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The first offence was captured just before 1pm on December 2 by a handheld speed camera in a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, 68mph in a 50mph zone on the A40 at Pencraig, Herefordshire; the second offence occurred around 11:45am on December 22 in a Bentley Continental GT, 82mph in a 70mph limit on the A50 Rudhall Overbridge, Herefordshire.
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Police sent speeding tickets to Hammond's properties including a Grade II-listed Herefordshire castle bought in 2012 and a ÂŁ1m farm estate near Hereford; the letters were returned marked addressee gone away, and he was later traced to his ÂŁ2m mansion near Abergavenny with more than 30 vehicles registered.
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There were two additional allegations that Hammond ignored the police letters and failed to identify himself as the guilty driver; those charges were withdrawn, and the speeding offences were prosecuted under the Single Justice Procedure (behind closed doors) after his solicitor pleaded guilty to the speeding charges.
Former Top Gear host Richard Hammond has been fined £1,771 after being caught speeding twice in less than a month — once in a Porsche, once in a Bentley. MyLondon reported that the 56-year-old presenter pleaded guilty to both offences and was handed seven penalty points at Telford Magistrates' Court.
The two offences took place in Herefordshire in December 2024. Hammond, nicknamed 'The Hamster' for his small stature and love of fast cars, was clocked at 68mph in a 50mph zone and then at 82mph in a 70mph zone just three weeks later.
Two Speeding Offences Caught on Camera in December
The first offence happened just before 1pm on December 2. A handheld speed camera caught Hammond driving his Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo at 68mph on the A40 at Pencraig, Herefordshire — 18mph over the 50mph limit. NW Mail reported that West Mercia Police used speed camera images to build both cases.
The second offence came on December 22 at around 11:45am. Hammond was driving his Bentley Continental GT at 82mph on the A50 Rudhall Overbridge — 12mph over the 70mph limit. The two incidents were just 20 days apart.
Police Chased Hammond Across Multiple Properties to Serve Tickets
West Mercia Police spent weeks trying to track Hammond down. Officers sent speeding notices to several of his known addresses, including a Grade II-listed castle in Herefordshire he bought in 2012 and a ÂŁ1 million farm estate near Hereford. All letters came back marked 'addressee gone away,' according to Head Top Asia.
Police eventually traced him to his £2 million mansion near Abergavenny in Wales. The property had more than 30 vehicles registered to it. Two additional charges — for failing to respond to police letters and failing to identify himself as the driver — were later withdrawn.
Fines Broken Down: ÂŁ999 in Penalties Plus Costs
The court split the fine into two amounts: ÂŁ333 for the Porsche offence and ÂŁ666 for the Bentley offence, totalling ÂŁ999. On top of that, Hammond was ordered to pay ÂŁ240 in costs and ÂŁ532 in victim surcharges. The overall bill came to ÂŁ1,771, according to Your Local Guardian.
The case was heard under the Single Justice Procedure, which means it was decided behind closed doors. Hammond's solicitor entered the guilty pleas on his behalf. He was not required to appear in court in person.
Hammond's History: A Driving Ban in France Years Earlier
This is not the first time Hammond has run into trouble on the road. He faced a driving ban in France in 2013 after similar speeding incidents. Hammond is well known for his love of fast cars, built up over many years co-hosting Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
Hammond left Top Gear and later joined Amazon's The Grand Tour before it ended. The irony of a motoring TV star being caught speeding was not lost on the press. NW Mail noted that his nickname 'The Hamster' — earned partly for his enthusiasm behind the wheel — made the story all the more striking.
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