Love Island’s Ellie Brown is slapped with a six-month driving ban after she was clocked speeding at 101mph… as her plea of ‘exceptional hardship’ is rejected in court
Love Island star Ellie Brown has been slapped with a six-month driving ban and fined £1,660, after she was clocked speeding at 101mph.
The TV personality, 22, was caught breaking the 70mph speed limit as she drove a Mercedes-Benx GLC on Cudworth, Warwickshire section of the M42 on June 5, 2019.
And as she addressed the bench in Coventry Magistrates Court on Monday, Ellie pleaded that a ban from the road would cause ‘exceptional hardship’, as her work as an influencer requires her to transport herself all over country.
Driving ban: Love Island star Ellie Brown has been slapped with a six-month driving ban and fined £1,660, after she was clocked speeding at 101mph
However, her plea was ultimately rejected, and she received six points on her license, bring her total to 12 and resulting in an automatic six-month ban.
Ellie, who appeared on Love Island in 2018, had already plead guilty at an earlier hearing, and the case was adjourned to allow her time to present her case for a potential loss of income, as she works self-employed through an agency.
It was revealed Ellie earns £2,000 a week after tax, and that a driving ban would not result in others losing their jobs, led to the decision to give her the points.
Addressing the bench, she said, according to Metro: ‘I have been self-employed for the past two-and-a-half years. I was on a TV show and when I came out I moved to Manchester to do modelling and different kinds of media.
Speeding: The TV personality, 22, was caught breaking the 70mph speed limit as she drove a Mercedes-Benx GLC on Cudworth, Warwickshire section of the M42 on June 5, 2019
‘I do a lot of travelling to shoots and it could be anywhere from London, Scotland, Leeds or all over the UK. My fashion brand’s factory is in Leicester and I have to go there carrying a lot of stock.’
Ellie, who moved from Newcastle to Cheshire after her appearance on Love Island, added: ‘I’ve learned my lesson and I haven’t had any other offences. I’ve held my hands up and I’m really sorry.’
Chairman of the bench Neil Gallagher, enquired if her ban would impact jobs at the factory in Leicester, to which she replied: ‘The employer, I couldn’t work with him because I can’t travel to Leicester.’
But after deliberation, the chairman told her: ‘Exceptional circumstances is a very high hurdle and I’m afraid in the circumstances we find it does not apply in your case.’
Plea: Ellie, who appeared on Love Island in 2018, had already plead guilty at an earlier hearing, and the case was adjourned to allow her time to present her case for a potential loss of income
He added: ‘You’re on a good income at the moment. You have done well but I’m afraid we can’t avoid the ban and you will have to make other arrangements to travel around the country.’
At the time she was clocked speeding, Ellie said that she had been severely delayed during a five-and-a-half-hour drive south from Manchester.
As well as receiving six points, Ellie was fined £1,660, ordered to pay court costs of £110 and a victim surcharge of £167.
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Ellie Brown for comment.
Ellie was one of a number of influencers and reality stars who controversially jetted off to Dubai over the winter holidays for ‘work’ trips.
Ex factor: During her stint on Love Island, Ellie embarked on a romance with millionaire Charlie Brake. However, their romance proved to be short-lived
She has since been sharing a slew of bikini snaps from the sun-kissed destination.
Dozens of influencers who found fame on reality shows such as Geordie Shore and Love Island have spent the previous weeks soaking up the sun in Dubai while Brits back at home are in a nationwide lockdown.
Many have travelled abroad under the ruse that their trips are ‘for work,’ sparking backlash from fans who have been holed up in lockdown amid the pandemic.
Among those who have shared glimpses of their trips to Instagram are Love Island’s Laura Anderson, Francesca Allen, Arabella Chi and twins Jess and Eve Gale.
Jetsetter: Ellie has been living it up in Dubai with a slew of her Love Island pals
Geordie Shore’s Chloe Ferry is also in Dubai for ‘work’ while TOWIE’s Yazmin Oukhellou and her beau James Lock have also been there for some time on ‘business’.
Many stars have insisted their trips are for ‘work’ as the government currently asks UK residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
Although at first not facing restrictions upon their return, it was recently announced that the country has been removed from the UK travel corridor amid the pandemic.
During her stint on Love Island, Ellie embarked on a romance with millionaire Charlie Brake, with the pair living together at his London home almost immediately after leaving the show.
However, their romance was short-lived, with the pair going through an acrimonious split. She also had a brief relationship with Love Island 2019 contestant Michael Griffiths.
Living the life: Dozens of influencers who found fame on reality shows such as Geordie Shore and Love Island have spent the previous weeks soaking up the sun in Dubai
Source: Read Full Article