CRHnews - Billy Murray [East Enders The Bill] wishes Essex Magistrates a merry Christmas

Actor Billy Murray wished Chelmsford Magistrates' Court a merry Christmas today after he was acquitted of driving offences.

The performer, best-know for his roles in The Bill and EastEnders, was cleared of speeding when magistrates accepted his explanation that he was not the driver of a Ford Transit Van caught at 51mph in a 40mph zone.

However, it remains a mystery who was driving the car when it was caught on camera in Laindon, Essex, this February.


Mr Murray, 71, explained to the court in Essex that he had left the car parked by some garages while he was working away from home.

He admitted that he was in the habit of leaving a key inside the van underneath a floor mat so that other people could move it.

During the hearing he told magistrates that he could not admit speeding as it would be a 'lie', since he was not driving at the time.

Mr Murray, who represented himself, said: 'I used to leave the key under the mat in the van so it could be moved because it was often in the way.'

After asking nine people who live in the area whether they had seen anything, he was still left none the wiser, the court heard.

Before leaving the court today, Mr Murray made a point of telling justices: 'Thank you and have a Merry Christmas'.

Outside the building after the trial, he said: 'I'd like to say thanks to the court for seeing it my way.'

He was found not guilty of failing to give information relating to the driver of the Ford Transit and the prosecution withdrew the speeding accusation.

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