The TV presenter, 56, was at the wheel of a Porsche when he broke the speed limit on December 2 last year, and he was caught out again just 20 days later while driving a Bentley.

West Mercia Police brought two prosecutions against Hammond, putting forward the speed camera images of him driving the cars in Herefordshire to prove the offences.

Court papers also reveal how police spent weeks sending letters to Hammond’s multimillion-pound portfolio of homes in a bid to track him down.

(Image: West Mercia Police/PA Wire)

The presenter, who hosted Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson and James May between 2002 and 2015 before the trio launched The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime, pleaded guilty through his lawyers to two charges of speeding.

At Telford Magistrates’ Court last week, he was handed seven penalty points for his licence.

Magistrate Ann Minton ordered him to pay a total of £1,771, comprising two fines of £333 and £666, £240 in costs and victim surcharges totalling £532.

Hammond, nicknamed The Hamster by his TV co-stars, nearly died in a 320mph jet car crash in 2006 while filming Top Gear, and he and Clarkson received a three-month driving ban in France in 2013 after they were caught speeding while making an episode of the show.

Documents from his court case show Hammond was caught out by a police officer with a handheld speed camera at just before 1pm on December 2 last year.

His Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo was clocked at 68mph in a 50mph limit on the A40 in Pencraig, Herefordshire.

At around 11.45am on December 22, Hammond’s Bentley Continental GT was speeding at 82mph in a 70mph limit on the A50 Rudhall Overbridge in Herefordshire.

Police sent speeding tickets to a Grade II* listed Herefordshire castle bought by Hammond in 2012 and a £1 million farm estate near Hereford, but the letters were returned marked as “addressee gone away”.

Eventually they tracked him down to his £2 million mansion near Abergavenny in Wales where it was noted more than 30 vehicles are currently registered.

Police also set out in court papers that Hammond had been accused of another driving offence in August last year.

Hammond was prosecuted for two offences of speeding and two further allegations that he had ignored the police letters and failed to identify himself as the guilty driver.

(Image: West Mercia Police/PA Wire)

In a letter to the court, the presenter’s solicitor pleaded guilty to the speeding charges and denied the other two offences, writing: “He replied identifying himself as the driver.

“He sent the reply by First Class post.

“He posted the reply himself.”

The police force opted to withdraw those extra charges, as Hammond was prosecuted and convicted for the speeding offences in the Single Justice Procedure – a fast-track court process which allows magistrates to sit behind closed doors to deal with low level criminal cases.

He was among 39 defendants who were convicted of driving offences by Ms Milton during the court session on July 22.

Two Gladiators stars reportedly won’t be returning for the upcoming season, with a Celebrity Traitors star set to step up to the podium instead.

It’s already been a turbulent lead-up to the new BBC season, with fan-favourite star Giant getting axed from the series in April, with him claiming it was due to his (now ex) girlfriend being an OnlyFans creator.

World’s Strongest Man victor Tom Stoltman was announced as his replacement, but it seems that’s not the end of the shake-ups as filming gets underway for season four.

Now, it transpires that Gladiators Bionic and Athena have also taken a step back from the series while rugby legend turned Traitors icon Joe Marler reportedly gears up to don the lyrca.

Speaking on the reported exit of Bionic and Athena, a source told The Sun: ‘They won’t film this year for the show but could be back for the tour, depending on how they recover from their injuries.’

Both TV athletes, whose real names are Matty Campbell and Karenjeet Kaur Bains respectively, suffered injuries during the last season while undertaking tough on-air challenges.

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Bionic looked visibly in pain during the Hang Tough challenge and was eventually attended to by doctors when he dropped to the crash mat.

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Athena endured an especially tough setback during season three filming when she had a complete ACL tear, meniscus tear, LCL and MCL tears and a bone fracture.

The star received surgery for the injury approximately a year ago and has been documenting her recovery on social media.

But as two Gladiators bow out, another could be rising to the fore in the shape of Traitors star Joe, who could join the force in a guest star capacity. This is yet to be done on the reboot of the show, which launched in 2024.

An insider told the publication: ‘It goes without saying he’s got the size, strength and muscle power to cut it as a Gladiator, but he’s also got the cheeky personality to match.

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‘Viewers of the original series and the BBC’s reboot love their Gladiators to come with a little sass, and Joe will easily put on a performance in every sense of the word.’

All in all, it’s shaping up to be an interesting start to the new season, especially with Tom officially coming on board as part of the new cast.

Sharing his excitement at the casting, he called it a ‘dream opportunity’ and an ‘incredible challenge’.

He added: ‘I’m excited to bring my strength, determination and personality to the arena, but, most importantly, I want people watching to feel inspired to believe in themselves and take on their own challenges.’

His name and costume are yet to be revealed.

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Former star Giant, real name Jamie Bigg, also passed on his well wishes, calling him ‘a fantastic person’ and that ‘he’ll absolutely smash it on the show.’

Metro has reached out to BBC and Joe Marler’s representatives for comment.

MORE: Naga Munchetty quits BBC Breakfast after 17 years following ‘bullying probe’

MORE: Bradley Walsh announces he’s quit major BBC series after 6 years as host

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MORE: ‘Gripping’ Ruth Wilson BBC thriller about corpse hidden in house soars up Netflix top 10

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Investigators discovered the remains in cardboard boxes at a home in Orange, a city in the Vaucluse region, according to reports

The remains of five babies have been found inside a couple’s residence in south-east France, according to reports from local media.

Officers made the discovery inside cardboard boxes at a property in Orange, a city in the Vaucluse department, as reported on Tuesday morning by French newspaper Le Parisien.

The discovery came after a woman born in 1994 delivered her third child at a hospital on Monday evening. Sources close to the case told the newspaper that this was her third experience of “pregnancy denial”.

Following notification from hospital staff in Orange, police attended the couple’s house. While officers were present, the father reportedly looked through several boxes and uncovered the remains of five infants, reports The Mirror.

The husband then reportedly took the body to the hospital, where staff alerted authorities.

The police searched the couple’s home and discovered fetuses in plastic bags, which had been placed in cardboard boxes.

The couple is said to have two children, aged eight and 12, in addition to the third child born on Monday. It is understood the woman remains in hospital and has not been taken into custody.

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Chad announced plans Monday to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, accusing the judicial body of ineffectiveness and bias against African countries.

The West African country submitted a letter to the United Nations to begin withdrawing from the court, which was established to prosecute people responsible for humanity’s worst crimes under its foundational treaty, the Rome Statute. The withdrawal process takes at least a year.

Chad was the fourth African country since 2025 to begin withdrawing from the ICC. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced last year they would stop participating with the court based in The Hague.

The court is already facing daunting challenges, including the July 24 removal of its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, over sexual misconduct allegations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this month said the U.S. was launching a campaign to dismantle what he called the threat posed to its national sovereignty by the ICC. A February 2025 executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the court over investigations of U.S. ally Israel.

The U.S. Bureau of African Affairs called on more of the 125 member states to withdraw from the Rome Statute in a post Monday on X.

“The United States welcomes Chad’s decision to withdraw from the ICC and join the growing number of nations reclaiming their sovereignty from this flawed institution,” the agency said.

By ELIANA SILVER, SENIOR FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER

Published: 08:46 BST, 28 July 2026 | Updated: 10:06 BST, 28 July 2026

A strong 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan on Tuesday, sparking alerts and damaging an ancient castle, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The tremor also measured at the highest possible level seven on Japan’s own Shindo scale of shaking, the agency added.

The Japanese government issued emergency earthquake warnings for Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki prefectures, all on Japan’s southern Kyushu island.

Residents in coastal areas have been urged to move to higher ground and follow official evacuation instructions. 

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The stone walls of the ancient Kumamoto Castle collapsed due to the earthquake.

A tsunami alert of a wave of up to one metre was activated after the quake, warning it could arrive at around 5pm local time.

Broadcaster NHK said that waves of up to that level may already have been recorded.

No immediate abnormalities were recorded at nuclear power plants, the Nuclear Regulation Authority said.

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A damaged property pictured after an earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday

Damage in an arcade after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Japan

Toppled shelving after an earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1, struck Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture

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Bottles of wines are scattered after the magnitude 7.1 strong earthquake hit the region

About 45,000 households and facilities have no power in the Kumamoto region, according to local utility Kyushu Electric Power.

The firm added that three nuclear reactors operating at the time in the region were continuing their normal operations.

Around half an hour after the quake, a local NHK staffer wearing a helmet reported live on air that the shaking was continuing, with the newsroom shaking so violently it was difficult to remain standing.

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‘Shaking is continuing as I speak. Including myself, there may be some people who feel their hearts racing,’ he said.

‘When the quake struck, the shaking was so big that I could not stand up. Please be aware of possibility that shaking might continue after this.’

A quake with a magnitude of 7.2 hit northern Japan on June 25 but caused no deaths or major damage.

Japan is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’.

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People stand outside JR Kumamoto Station after the magnitude 7.1 strong earthquake

Reporters watch the news showing a large quake and possible one meter tsunami wave in Southern Japan

The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, typically experiences hundreds of jolts every year and accounts for about 18 percent of the world’s earthquakes.

The vast majority are mild, although the damage they cause varies according to their location and the depth below the Earth’s surface at which they strike.

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It is haunted by the memory of a massive 9.0-magnitude undersea quake in 2011, which triggered a tsunami that killed or left missing around 18,500 people and wrecked the Fukushima nuclear plant.

On April 20 this year, a tremor measuring 7.7 hit the country’s north, injuring at least 10 people and shaking large buildings in Tokyo.

This prompted authorities to issue a special advisory warning of an increased risk of earthquakes of magnitude 8.0 or stronger. The advisory was lifted after a week.

Emergency services are responding to an incident on a busy road in Salford.

Part of Cleggs Lane in Little Hulton has been cordoned off by police this morning (Tuesday, July 28). A large emergency response on the scene including a number of ambulance and police vehicles.

The cordon is in place near the road’s junction with Eastham Way. The nature of the incident has not yet been confirmed.

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The M.E.N has contacted Greater Manchester Police for further details.

Follow our live blog below for the latest updates on this incident.

The bodies of a 36-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man were discovered near Corsliehill Road in Houston after emergency services were called to reports of concern for a person.

Police have launched a probe after a man and a woman were found dead in Renfrewshire.

Emergency services were called to Corsliehill Road in Houston, Johnstone on Monday morning, July 27, following reports of a concern for a person.

Officers attended the scene, where the bodies of a 36-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man were found nearby.

Police Scotland said the deaths are currently being treated as unexplained. A post-mortem will be carried out to establish the exact cause of death.

Extensive enquiries remain ongoing as detectives work to piece together the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

However, officers said there is nothing at this stage to suggest anyone else was involved.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “An investigation is ongoing into the deaths of a 36-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man in the Houston area.

“On Monday, 27 July, 2026, we received a report of concern for a person in Corsliehill Road. Emergency services attended, and the body of a man and a woman were found nearby.

“The deaths are being treated as unexplained and post mortem examinations will be carried out in due course.

“Extensive enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances. At this time, there is nothing to suggest anyone else has been involved.

“Their relatives are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.”

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Kelly made a rapid start at Arsenal in the second half of the 2024-25 season, scoring twice and providing five assists, and helping the club win a second Women’s Champions League title.

She then played an instrumental role in England retaining the European Championships that summer, including scoring the title-winning penalty against Spain in the shootout.

Last season however, was less successful. Hampered by injury, she only started four times in the Women’s Super League – so is itching to get going in the new campaign, which kicks off on Friday, 4 September.

“I had big goals to do amazing things at Arsenal in my first full season and I was a little disappointed I wasn’t able to,” she says.

“I think I needed this summer to work on myself physically, balancing working in the gym, on the pitch and getting downtime.

“I am in a really good place at the moment. My main goal is to stay fit and fresh all season and be ready when called upon.”

And despite the added allure of a World Cup in Brazil next summer should England navigate the play-offs this autumn, Kelly is keeping her focus on the short term.

“My goals and assists are really important so I’ll make sure I’m right at it,” she adds. “For me, I’ll think about [the World Cup] closer to the time.”

Whether you’re embarking on a city break in Lisbon, a long weekend in Barcelona or a week’s sojourn in Sicily, ensuring you’ve got the right size hand luggage for the airline you’re flying with is part and parcel of planning any trip. If it’s Easyjet your flying, here’s everything to know about its luggage allowance.

The carrier sits in the middle of UK airlines: every standard ticket includes one small under-seat bag up to 45cm x 36cm x 20cm (including handles and wheels). If your luggage exceeds this or you bring an extra unbooked item, you will face a hefty £48 gate fine. For travellers who struggle to pack light, upgrading to an extra cabin bag allowance grants you a larger 56cm x 45cm x 25cm overhead case, which is significantly cheaper to book online than at the airport terminal.

Citing overstuffed bins, safety concerns for air stewards and slow boarding times, airlines have been slowly clamping down on carry-on restrictions. RyanAir’s allowance is the most stringent at 40 x 30 x 20cm, while British Airways is the most generous, offering economy flyers one larger cabin bag and one smaller bag (40cm x 30cm x 15 cm).

When choosing compliant baggage, premium holdalls and sleek rucksacks from Away and Antler offer excellent durability. Meanwhile, affordable cabin backpacks from Amazon and Primark frequently go viral for maximising every millimeter of packing space. The IndyBest travel team has flown globally with the market’s best hand luggage to discover which options slip seamlessly through airport checks. Read on for our ultimate guide to the best EasyJet-approved cabin bags for your next holiday.

What is EasyJet’s hand luggage allowance?

EasyJet allows one bag per economy flyer, measuring 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including any handles and wheels). It can weigh up to 15kg, and must be kept under the seat in front of you. You can also bring a large cabin bag – 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm – on board at an extra cost. Every customer who books a large cabin bag can also enjoy the benefit of Speedy Boarding. If your hand luggage is too large or you bring an extra bag without paying, you’ll recieve a £48 fine at the gate.

The best EasyJet hand luggage bag

Discover more of the best carry-on luggage for 2026, tested by a travel writer