Former Verve Frontman Caught Speeding in Brentford
Six-month driving ban for Richard Ashcroft
Richard Ashcroft performing in 2025. Picture: Raph_Ph
January 8, 2026
Musician Richard Ashcroft has been banned from driving for six months after being caught speeding on the elevated section of the M4 at Brentford. The offence, which took place on 19 February 2025, pushed the singer over the points threshold for an automatic disqualification.
Court records show that the former Verve lead singer was driving at 48mph in the 40mph zone on the raised motorway section that runs through Brentford, an area covered by a continuous network of average-speed cameras mounted on gantries. The elevated M4 between Junction 2 and Junction 3 is one of London’s most strictly enforced motorway sections, and the cameras calculate a driver’s speed over distance rather than at a single point.
Ashcroft already had nine points on his licence from three previous speeding offences committed between December 2022 and October 2024. The new offence brought his total to 12 points, triggering a mandatory six-month ban under the “totting-up” rules. Two other alleged speeding offences in Berkshire were dropped and did not form part of the case.
The 54-year-old pleaded guilty but did not attend the hearing at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court. His lawyer told the court that Ashcroft had a prior commitment and sent his apologies. District Judge Daniel Benjamin criticised his absence and said the speeding placed other road users at risk. Ashcroft was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling almost £3,000.
The court listed his address as being in Richmond-upon-Thames, and the vehicle involved was recorded as a green 2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
The elevated M4 at Brentford has long been a hotspot for speeding penalties due to its reduced 40mph limit. The cameras operate continuously and are designed to improve safety on a section of motorway that is both narrow and heavily used.
Ashcroft will be eligible to reapply for his licence once the six-month disqualification period ends.
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