'A Drive & Nicking': Simple Minds Drummer Admits Speeding

Up On The Perpwalk: Gaynor arriving at court

Simple Minds drummer Mel Gaynor is facing another speeding ban after being caught breaking the limit yet again, a court heard yesterday.

The 66 year-old musician, who played on the Scottish band’s biggest hits, including Number One ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me) appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court.

He was determined to fight the charge and argue the speed camera was not properly calibrated, but gave up when the prosecution produced evidence it was.

Balham-born Gaynor, of The Clock House, High Road, Byfleet pleaded guilty to driving his Alfa Romeo 159 at 41mph in a 30mph zone on August 3, last year in Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton.

The court heard he was also banned for six months for speeding on the motorway on April 18, 2022; received six penalty points for motorway speeding on July 17, 2024 and another three points for speeding on August 27, last year.

Those nine points, plus the minimum Gaynor will receive for the latest offence make him subject to a six-month disqualification.

However, the veteran rocker will claim any disqualification will cost him ‘exceptional hardship’ and he will return to court to argue his case next year.

Gaynor drummed on hits including ‘Alive & Kicking’; ‘Glittering Prize’; ‘Waterfront’; ’Speed Your Love To Me’ and ‘Sanctify Yourself’.

“I’d like to say I’m not a dangerous driver, I am a safe driver,” Gaynor told the magistrates. “I have to take my grandson to medical appointments and school as well.”

Prosecutor Arama Thompson told the court it was 4.53pm when Gaynor was caught on the speed camera and he confirmed he was the driver when the notice of intended prosecution was sent to his address.

Don't You (Take A Picture Of Me): Gaynor outside court

“I also have the calibration certificate that has been sent through from July, 2025 to July, this year.

Gaynor had originally claimed the speed camera must have been inoperative because his own in car sensor did not alert him to exceeding the speed limit.

Chairman Richard Hay didn't promise Gaynor any miracles and told him: “It has to be ‘exceptional hardship’. When you get to twelve penalty points you are liable to be disqualified.

“To go beyond that we need to see evidence and we will adjourn the case for you to bring your evidence of what you are going to be relying on to avoid getting disqualified.

“If you have great exceptional hardship you will not be disqualified.”

Big Brother Star Sentenced For Pummelling Little Sister

Big Brother Is Watching You: Haji Outside Court

Big Brother star Hanah Haji has been sentenced for pummelling her little sister’s face with punches during a row over her bringing men to the family home.

The 26 year-old appeared in 2024’s Series 21 of the reality show, where she went on hunger strike in protest over the show’s food.

Ealing Magistrates’ Court saw an image of a cut above the left eye of her 19 year-old sister Mona Shiekh, along with bruising to her face.

Former HR consultant Haji, of Reade Court, Stanley Road, Acton was convicted of assaulting her sister at the address on July 16, last year.

Last week, she was sentenced to a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to a total of fifteen days and fined £100.

Haji was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to her sister and £250 costs.

She was also made subject to a two-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with Mona and visiting her address at Benjamin House, High Street, South Acton.

Mona told the trial from behind a screen it was 7.30pm and she was ill and in her bedroom when she refused Haji’s request to go to the shops for her.

“She muttered: ‘What the f***?’ and I could hear her say: ‘I hope you die from your condition,’ as she shouted in the hallway.

“She barged in, slamming the door against the wall. She pushed me onto the bed and I covered my face and she started banging on my face.

“She was punching. I could feel the fists and I was screaming.”

Mona audio-recorded the foul-mouthed row on her phone, which was played in court, revealing the shouting and swearing between the sisters.

“You’re a whore as well,” shouted Mona on the recording, telling the court: “She was bringing men around the house.

“If you’re going to have sexual intercourse in the morning multiple times with men while I’m in the house you need to have boundaries.”

In her statement the younger sister said: “I’m really scared of her and can’t go back to my home address safely.”

Haji claimed she only punched her sister in self-defence when she was scratched to the arms and kicked to the legs, but the victim denied this.

“In the past she has got physical with me, tapping me on the shoulder and spitting in my face,” said Mona. “It was not self-defence, it was unprovoked.”

Haji showed the court images of injuries she claimed were inflicted by Mona, adding: “We were in each other’s face. She scratched me and was kicking me.

“After a bit I punched her because she was kicking and scratching me and a year later I still have those bruises to my legs.

“I punched her and punched her again and she screamed and I backed off. I’m not trying to beat up my little sister and I am not a spitter, that’s disgusting.

“I did not want to hurt her physically. I don’t blame her, I blame the hostile environment we were in.”

Bench chairwoman Caroline Newell announced: “You admitted punching your sister twice in the face and we don’t believe you were required to use that level of force that resulted in the injuries sustained by your sister.”

The court also heard that as a juvenile in 2016, when she was 15 year-old Haji was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm and received a rehabilitation order, which included an electronically-tagged curfew.