Former EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney has admitted to drink-driving in court, and has been banned from driving for a year.
The actor, who played Robbie Jackson on the BBC soap on and off between 1993 and 2019, pleaded guilty to the offence and has also been fined £300 alongside paying £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
Gaffney appeared at Staines Magistrates' Court earlier this week regarding the incident on April 28 when his car was spotted by police being parked awkwardly.
The court was told that Gaffney was in the vehicle alongside an unidentified woman in the passenger seat, and he failed a roadside breathalyser test.
Prosecutor Lucy Lumsden said on Tuesday (May 31) (via The Sun): "It was 11.40pm when police officers on mobile patrol saw an Audi A7 parked on a corner with its lights on and engine running.
"They approached and the driver's side window was open. The driver appeared intoxicated, although he said he had not drunk any alcohol.
"The officers could smell intoxicating liquor on his breath and he failed a roadside breath test. He admitted during police interview he had been driving."
Gaffney was discovered to have 46mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, with the legal limit being 35mcg.
The actor's mitigating lawyer Simon Collingham said: "Mr Gaffney is keen to say how deeply remorseful he is. He regrets the offence and is ashamed of his behaviour.
"From the age of 15 he has worked full-time in the entertainment industry, but like so many others in the profession since the onset of COVID, he has found it hard to find work.
"He lives off his savings with the full support of his family emotionally. Mr Gaffney was not seen driving, but he admitted to the police he had been driving the vehicle.
"He should receive full credit for his guilty plea. He does express his remorse sincerely. It was out of character and this is not an individual you will see in court again."
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
