TV star Ant McPartlin fined and banned after admitting being more than twice the drink-drive limit

TV presenter Ant McPartlin has been fined £86,000 after admitting driving while more than twice the legal alcohol limit.
TV presenter Anthony McPartlin centre arrives at The Court House in Wimbledon, London, to face charges of drink driving. Pic: PA.TV presenter Anthony McPartlin centre arrives at The Court House in Wimbledon, London, to face charges of drink driving. Pic: PA.
TV presenter Anthony McPartlin centre arrives at The Court House in Wimbledon, London, to face charges of drink driving. Pic: PA.

The 42-year-old admitted he was more than twice the legal limit after his black Mini collided with two other cars in Richmond, west London on March 18.

McPartlin was met by a waiting pack of photographers and television cameras when he arrived at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court.

Ant McPartlin is due in court today charged with drink-driving.Ant McPartlin is due in court today charged with drink-driving.
Ant McPartlin is due in court today charged with drink-driving.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He stepped out of a black Mercedes people carrier to face the media scrum as he walked up the steps at the main entrance to the court building, which was guarded by seven police officers.

Wearing a black, three-piece suit, white shirt and black tie, McPartlin stood in the glass dock in court, sporting a light beard.

He spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, address and nationality before pleading guilty to a single charge of drink-driving.

The charge states he had 75 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath.

Ant McPartlin is due in court today charged with drink-driving.Ant McPartlin is due in court today charged with drink-driving.
Ant McPartlin is due in court today charged with drink-driving.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Prosecutor Katie Sinnett-Jones told the court the incident happened at about 3.50pm on March 18 on Lower Richmond Road.

She said Mr McPartlin was driving around a "sharp bend and lost control", at which point he ended up on the wrong side of the road.

He collided with another Mini Cooper car before driving "straight into the front of an oncoming car".

McPartlin's vehicle "came to a halt and was no longer driveable due to the damage caused" she said. Members of the public called the police.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The driver of the Mini car said afterwards, the court heard, that they thought they would die in the collision.

He said, in a statement read by Ms Sinnett-Jones: "Myself and my family were in deep shock as we believed we could have died as as a result of Mr McPartlin's reckless driving."

McPartlin's barrister Liam Walker said his client had been seeking help for "alcohol and emotional issues" at the time of the crash, adding that his mother was in the car with him.

He told the district judge the incident was down to "a brief relapse unbeknownst to his passenger".

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Anthony McPartlin is sorry and is doing everything he can to ensure this never happens again," Mr Walker said.

"He hopes that in time he can make himself better and that he might be forgiven by all of the many people he knows and he feels he has let down terribly."

The court heard that in a statement to police McPartlin said: "I am very sorry I did this. I am ashamed and mortified that this happened.

"I accept full culpability for this and wish to apologise to all those concerned."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Through me, Mr McPartlin wishes to express both sorrow and regret over his actions," Mr Walker said.

"He is sorry, but not sorry because he is here. He knows it is right that he's here and he hopes that which has led him here will eventually help him," the lawyer continued.

"But for good fortune the consequences could have been worse. He feels the guilt that is reflected in his plea."

Mr Walker spoke of McPartlin's "exemplary" character and charitable work, especially focusing on organisations that help children.

"Mr McPartlin is lucky to have both family and long-time friends to support him," he added.

As well as the fine, McPartlin was also banned from driving for 20 months.