More Points On Licence For Speeding Pret A Manger Millionaire

Court Out: Metcalfe Leaving City Magistrates'

The multi-millionaire founder of restaurant chain Pret A Manger has already received three points on his driving licence for speeding - a couple of weeks after getting it back after a six-month ban.

Julian Metcalfe, 65, sold the business for £364m and went on to establish another High Street success - Japanese fast food giant Itsu.

The Old Harrovian, who splits his time between a manor house in Great Haseley, Oxfordshire and a property in North Terrace, South Kensington appeared at City of London Magistrates’ Court.

He pleaded guilty to driving his £120,000 black three-litre hybrid electric Mercedes Benz over the speed limit in Upper Thames Street, near Southwark Bridge on September 1, last year.

Prosecutor PC Steven Reid told the court it was 1.44pm when Metcalfe was caught on a speed camera driving at 29mph in a 20mph zone.

Ironically, the following day Metcalfe appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court, where he was disqualified for six months after receiving six penalty points for using his mobile phone while driving.

That brought him to a total of twelve penalty points - triggering an automatic six-month ban under the totting regulations that only expired around the beginning of this month.

“He has totted so now has a clean licence,” said PC Reid. “The previous offence was when he was caught using a mobile phone so he totted out then.

“So, Mr Metcalfe, as far as I can see, has a clean licence.”

Metcalfe, who was unrepresented and wore a dark grey suit, blue shirt and gold-coloured tie did not address the magistrates.

Bench Chair Simon Mansfield announced that Metcalfe would be fined £146, with £110 costs and ordered him to pay a £58 victim surcharge.

He also received three penalty points.

“I can pay that today,” said father-of-three Metcalfe,  who co-founded Pret A Manger in 1984 with college friend Sinclair Beecham and sold it in 2018.

His grandfather Edward was best man to newly-abdicated Edward VIII at his marriage to Wallis Simpson.