Jimmy Tarbuck fined after hit-and-run crash
COMEDY legend Jimmy Tarbuck has admitted crashing into cars parked close to his £5.5million home days after his sister’s funeral.
The 83-year-old entertainer was caught on camera by a Ring doorbell driving his two-litre green Lexus away from the scene.
Tarbuck – affectionately known as Tarby – did not appear yesterday before Lavender Hill magistrates’ court, but he pleaded guilty to the offences by post.
The court heard the collision occurred on May 15 in a gated community in Coombe, Kingston-upon-Thames, South West London, home to a number of stars and business titans.
He pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention; failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.
He was fined £716, with £110 costs and ordered to pay a £286 victim surcharge. His previously clean driving licence was endorsed with five penalty points.
Laura-Ann Harding, prosecuting, told the court: “The defendant drove a vehicle without due care and attention. “They collided heavily into stationary vehicles, causing severe damage and at the same time an accident occurred with another vehicle, a Vauxhall Corsa and they failed to stop when required and give their name and address.”
She continued: “Multiple vehicles were hit and one was shunted forward three houses. Nobody was injured as all the vehicles were parked and empty at the time.”
Remorse
The magistrates were played footage from the neighbour’s doorbell, which showed Tarbuck slowly dragging along the Vauxhall Corsa beside his car and then continuing away from the scene.
Tarbuck, who has three children with wife Pauline, including actress and radio presenter Liza, sent a letter to the court apologising for his actions.
Bench chair Dr Samantha Cobb announced: “We have read his mitigation and the bench fully accept he is full of remorse and is deeply apologetic.
“We accept this was utterly out of keeping with his character and we take into account he had recently lost his sister [Norma] and it had been her funeral in the preceding days.
“He says he cannot explain why he did not stop that day.”
Tarbuck has enjoyed a 60-year career in showbusiness.
He hosted Sunday Night at the London Palladium in the mid-Sixties, and game shows including Winner Takes All; Full Swing and Tarby’s Frame Game.