Jobless ex-EastEnders star Dean Gaffney admits drink-driving – blaming pressure of finding work during Covid
JOBLESS ex-EastEnders star Dean Gaffney admitted drink-driving yesterday — blaming the pressure of finding work during the pandemic.
The actor, 44, said he had been struggling to get a paying role and was living off his savings when police nabbed him.
Officers were alerted when they spotted his dodgy parking on the corner of a road.
There was a woman in the passenger seat, but police have not revealed whether it was Gaffney’s Russian model girlfriend Valerina, 25.
Prosecutor Lucy Lumsden said yesterday: “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.
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“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.”
The court was told Gaffney is of good character with no previous convictions and the only “aggravating feature” was the passenger in the front seat.
Dad-of-two Gaffney, who played Robbie Jackson in the BBC soap, was found to have 46mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Magistrates banned him from driving for a year, noting he had apologised and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
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He was also fined £300 and ordered to pay £85 costs, plus a £34 victim surcharge following the incident in Staines, Surrey, on April 28.
Simon Collingham, in mitigation, told the court: “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.”
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Gaffney, who lives in Hertford, starred in EastEnders on and off for 26 years, often caring for pet dog Wellard.
The Sun revealed in March he had grown close to a glamorous model Valerina, who is 19 years his junior and the same age as his twin daughters.