Cold Feet star John Thomson has been banned from driving for three years after being stopped by police while two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.
Accompanied by his heavily pregnant fiancée Samantha Sharp, the 33-year-old actor appeared before magistrates in Trafford, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday to admit to the offence.
In addition to the ban, he was also given a 12-month community rehabilitation order and told he could take part in a drink-driving rehabilitation scheme which would reduce his ban by nine months.
Helen Burgess, prosecuting, said John was pulled over in his Jaguar XK8 near his home in West Didsbury shortly before 1 am on August 4. After failing a breathalyser test, he told police officers: “It’s a fair cop.” He was then taken to Stretford Police Station where, after giving two further samples of breath, he was found to have 87 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.
It was the second time in six years that John had been caught drinking and driving. Susan Machin, defending, said her client showed remorse for his action. “He is most anxious this will never happen again,” she said, “His partner is expecting a baby, due in November, and they are both most anxious that the baby will have a good start in life.”