Barbara Knox has been banned from driving for a year after pleading guilty to drink-driving.
The ‘Coronation Street’ actress – who has played Rita Tanner on the soap since 1972 – was arrested in March last year and initially denied the charge, but changed her plea today (23.01.15) ahead of a trial due to begin at Crewe Magistrates’ Court next month.
In addition to the ban, the 81-year-old actress – who was arrested after driving to a police station after her daughter had been detained for the same offence – was also fined £3000 and ordered to pay costs of £1750.
Judge Brigid Knight told the soap veteran her original not guilty plea had wasted court time and money.
Her lawyer Nick Freeman accepted the actress was "the author of her own misfortune" and said his client "considers drink-driving to be serious".
At a previous hearing, the court heard Barbara was taken home by police after her daughter Maxine Ashcroft was arrested for drink driving.
After around an hour, the actress then arrived at Knutsford police station but appeared intoxicated.
She turned down a lift home and was subsequently apprehended for the same offence.
Her daughter later pleaded guilty to drink-driving and received a two-year ban.
A Coronation Street spokesman said they would not comment as it was a "a private and personal matter".
Barbara Knox receives driving ban
