Richard Hammond Fined for Speeding in Bentley and Porsche 2026

Richard Hammond, the former Top Gear host, has been fined £999 after being caught speeding twice in three weeks while driving his luxury Porsche and Bentley. The 56-year-old television personality pleaded guilty to two charges of speeding in Herefordshire, resulting in seven penalty points and a total court bill of £1,771. This latest incident adds to a long history of driving controversies for the man nicknamed "The Hamster."

Details of the Speeding Offenses

According to court documents, the first offense occurred on 2 December last year near Pencraig, Herefordshire. A police officer with a handheld speed camera clocked Hammond’s Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo traveling at 68mph in a 50mph zone on the A40. Just 20 days later, on 22 December, his Bentley Continental GT was recorded at 82mph in a 70mph limit on the A50 Rudhall overbridge.

West Mercia police brought two separate prosecutions after speed camera images confirmed the violations. Hammond, who hosted Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson and James May from 2002 to 2015 before moving to The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime, did not attend court. His lawyers entered guilty pleas on his behalf.

Court Ruling and Penalties

At Telford magistrates court, Magistrate Ann Minton imposed two fines: £333 for the Porsche offense and £666 for the Bentley offense. Hammond was also ordered to pay £240 in costs and victim surcharges totaling £532, bringing the full amount to £1,771. Additionally, he received seven penalty points on his driving license.

The court noted that police initially sent speeding tickets to a Grade II*-listed castle in Herefordshire that Hammond purchased in 2012, as well as a £1 million farm estate near Hereford. However, the letters were returned marked "addressee gone away." Authorities eventually tracked him down to his £2 million mansion near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, where over 30 vehicles are registered.

Comparison of the Two Luxury Cars

Richard Hammond’s History with Speeding

This is not the first time Hammond has faced legal trouble for speeding. In 2013, he and Jeremy Clarkson received a three-month driving ban in France after being caught speeding while filming an episode of Top Gear. More famously, Hammond nearly died in a 320mph jet car crash in 2006 during filming, which left him with severe brain injuries.

Despite his dangerous driving reputation, Hammond has often spoken about his love for fast cars. His collection includes a Lamborghini Huracán, a Range Rover, and several classic cars. The court noted that more than 30 vehicles are registered at his Wales estate.

Key Takeaways

• Richard Hammond was fined £999 and received seven penalty points for two speeding offenses.
• The offenses occurred in December 2024 while he was driving a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo and a Bentley Continental GT.
• Police had difficulty serving the tickets, as Hammond was not at his registered addresses.
• This adds to a pattern of speeding violations, including a 2013 driving ban in France.
• The total court cost for Hammond was £1,771, including fines, costs, and surcharges.

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