Shane Richie, the actor best known for his portrayal of Alfie Moon in EastEnders, is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 9 September facing a charge of drink‑driving. The 62‑year‑old, whose legal name is recorded as Shane Roche and who is listed as being from Tadworth in Surrey, was arrested by officers after reports of a suspected drink‑driver in the Church Langley Way area of Harlow shortly before 11.20pm on 29 July.
Police action and formal charge
Essex police attended the scene after a report from a member of the public. Following enquiries, an arrest was made and a charge of drink‑driving was subsequently authorised. The case will be heard at Colchester Magistrates’ Court the following month.
- Defendant: Shane Roche (known as Shane Richie), aged 62
- Offence authorised: Drink‑driving
- Arrest location: Church Langley Way, Harlow
- Court date: 9 September, Colchester Magistrates’ Court
Career background and regional connections
Richie first came to prominence as a Pontins bluecoat and as a stand‑up comedian before moving into television. He joined the BBC soap EastEnders in 2002 and his character Alfie Moon became one of the programme’s most recognisable figures. The role has seen Richie appear in more than a thousand episodes and establish a widely remembered on‑screen partnership with Kat Slater.
Beyond the soap, Richie has presented television shows, performed in West End style musicals and pursued a recording career. The article notes his links to the Oxford theatre scene: he appeared at the New Theatre in Oxford in 2006 in a production of Scrooge and visited the city in 2025 as part of a touring show billed as the Prat Pack alongside Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley and Joe Pasquale.
What happens next
The magistrates’ hearing on 9 September will consider the authorised charge. Magistrates’ courts typically handle initial pleas and sentencing for drink‑driving offences, though more serious matters may be sent to the Crown Court. No further court outcome has been reported at this stage.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Shane Roche (Shane Richie) |
| Age | 62 |
| Alleged offence | Drink‑driving |
| Arrest location | Church Langley Way, Harlow |
| Court | Colchester Magistrates’ Court |
| Court date | 9 September |
InfoRadar will monitor the case and report any developments arising from the hearing. Members of the public seeking information about magistrates’ court procedures or the typical handling of drink‑driving matters may consult the court service or legal advice centres for guidance ahead of proceedings.
