Overview
- Staff at the Tesco petrol station in Church Langley Way, Harlow, challenged a motorist they said was vaping on the forecourt during an exchange captured on video on Wednesday 29 July.
- Officers attended the scene, arrested a man and Essex Police have authorised a charge of drink‑driving against Shane Roche, 62, who is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 9 September.
- Footage obtained by national outlets shows Richie holding an e‑cigarette and swearing at staff, and the station manager told police he had become 'aggressive'; vaping on forecourts is widely banned by retailers for safety reasons though it is not a separate criminal offence.
- Reports about Richie's appearance, personal struggles and possible professional consequences are circulating in tabloids but rely on unnamed sources and have not been independently confirmed.
- If convicted, drink‑driving carries penalties such as fines, a driving ban or imprisonment, and the court case may have practical effects on Richie's work and scheduled appearances as the matter develops.