Shane Richie is set for a court date next month after being arrested for drink driving following an altercation on a petrol forecourt in Essex
Shane Richie was accused of drink driving(Image: BBC)
EastEnders actor Shane Richie has been charged with drink driving after a foul-mouthed altercation at a petrol station. The 62-year-old Alfie Moon star is said to have got into an argument after being caught vaping on the station forecourt.
Footage shows the BBC soap star being challenged by a worker while he was using an e-cigarette. The incident is said to have happened just after 11pm.
The clip appears to show the irate actor, wearing shorts, a dark sweatshirt and red baseball cap. He is heard telling an attendant “I don’t give a f***” when he was warned about vaping in the area.
The footage, obtained by The Sun, showed Shane looking very angry at the situation. It’s said the manager called the police on the actor.
They are said to have arrested him for drink-driving. He will now, reportedly, face a court date next month. A source told the publication: “It’s extraordinary he behaved like that — especially if he’d been drinking.
“It was stupid and he was also being quite argumentative with staff. They didn’t know who he was at first. It was only after the police came that they realised.”
Ritchie reportedly drove his white Hyundai onto the Essex forecourt on Wednesday evening. It’s claimed the vehicle had a flat tyre. According to reports, staff approached the star to tell him he couldn’t smoke, and he responded to tell them it was a vape.
After a worker told the actor that the altercation was being recorded, he allegedly said: “What, you’re filming me? All right, I’m going to film you.” He was reportedly told that vaping on the forecourt brought risks, but he is said to have hit back: ” “Yeah, I don’t give a f***.”
After police arrive, a female manager at the petrol station can be heard telling officers: “He started getting aggressive and he started vaping, so smoking an electric cigarette.”
But again, Richie tried to deny any wrongdoing and is heard shouting: “Not smoking a cigarette.”
It is not illegal to vape on a garage forecourt. However, companies forbid it as many fear that the electronic devices can produce sparks that could ignite petrol.
Police then tell Richie that the staff had an inclination he had been drinking before driving. Essex Police said: “Officers were called to reports of a suspected drink-driver in Church Langley Way, Harlow, shortly before 11.20pm on Wednesday July 29.
“On arrival, officers arrested a man. A charge of drink-driving has subsequently been authorised against Shane Roche, 62, of Surrey. He is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, September 9.”
The Mirror has reached out to Richie’s representatives for comment.
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