Thursday, 4 October 2007

Kershaw admits restraining order breach

http://media.guardian.co.uk/radio/story/0,,2171818,00.html
The DJ Andy Kershaw today pleaded guilty to drink-driving and breaching a restraining order banning him from approaching his ex-girlfriend.
The former BBC Radio 1 presenter, who now has a show on Radio 3, admitted the offences at a court on the Isle of Man, where he was arrested last month close to the home of Juliette Banner.
Kershaw, 48, had moved to the town of Peel with Ms Banner and their two children in April last year.
But the couple split and Ms Banner moved out of the family home and into a small terraced house around 150 yards away.
Ms Banner won a restraining order against Kershaw on August 1 and he was arrested close to her property on August 29.
She has since moved house in an effort to reduce tensions between the couple.
The drink-driving charge came after Kershaw was stopped by police on September 13.
He was breathalysed and gave a reading of 57 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 30.
The deputy high bailiff, Alastair Montgomerie, adjourned the case until October 19 for social inquiry reports to be prepared.
He said: "As I have not heard any of the facts, the court is indicating all sentencing options are open."
Kershaw was bailed on condition that he cooperate with the probation service and not drive a car.
He must also comply with the original restraining order requirements that he does not approach Ms Banner, observes a 9pm to 7am curfew and does not enter pubs or restaurants selling alcohol.
Outside court, Kershaw said: "I've lost my kids, I've lost the woman I love, I've lost everything. It's a very difficult time for me. I just want peace and quiet."
Kershaw, originally from Rochdale, Manchester, studied politics at Leeds University before moving to London in 1984 where he worked as Billy Bragg's driver and roadie.
He was hired by the BBC and worked on the Whistle Test music show, before going on to host his own slot on Radio 1.
Kershaw has presented a world music show on Radio 3 since 2001, but it is not known if he will return to the show.

This article is about Andy Kershaw pleading guilty to drink driving and as if that wasn't enough he even breached a restraining order, these events have caused him some devastation, "I've lost my kids, I've lost the woman I love, I've lost everything. It's a very difficult time for me. I just want peace and quiet." The fact that he breached his restraining order makes us question firstly exactly what he may have done to earn that restraining order and also what kind of state he must be in do breach it too.

The reason i chose this article is because it interested me(as it always does) that only because this is Andy Kershaw, there is an article about it, whereas if this were any average person there would be absolutely no fuss about it. It also reminded me that even people with celebrity status are still human and do still make mistakes like every other average person does.

I think this whole fiasco will possibly have an effect on his listeners and the response will be interesting, they may either share the same views as me that everyone makes mistakes and just because he's a celebrity he doesn't have to change himself, whereas on the other hand he might get negative feedback and a lot of his listeners may turn their backs on him. Either way this will definiately effect his radio slot whether it be positively or negative.

1 comment:

don fugazi said...

You're right that there's more fuss when a "celebrity" is caught misbehaving. Another point is that he did his misbehaving in the Isle of Man, a relatively small community where he's more noticeable than if he had still been living in London. So it's not just celebrity    per se but relative celebrity that's a factor.

It'll be interesting to hear the facts of the case; these things don't often happen out of the blue.

Hope he sorts himself out soon.