Sue Cleaver Drunk in Charge

[alan45]

Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver has been charged with drink driving, according to reports.

The actress, who plays Eileen Grimshaw on the ITV1 soap, is said to have failed a breath test after being stopped by police when her Landrover Freelander clipped a kerb. It is thought that the incident took place in Northenden, Manchester in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Reports suggest that Cleaver was granted bail and is due to appear before magistrates on April 14.

A Coronation Street spokesperson said: "This is private and a police matter."

Meanwhile, a Weatherfield source told The Mirror: "Despite what has happened there is still a lot of sympathy for her because she is so well liked by just about everyone connected with the show.

"But she realises the seriousness of the situation she finds herself in and just wants to get it over and done with."

Cleaver's screen son Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw) is also due to appear in court next month to answer driving charges of his own.

[Chloe O'brien]

Silly woman. She will no doubt be given a huge fine.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver has been banned from the road after pleading guilty to a drink driving charge.

The actress, who plays Weatherfield's Eileen Grimshaw, today confessed that she had used her vehicle while almost twice above the legal alcohol limit.

Appearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court, Cleaver was banned from driving for 17 months and handed a £1,000 fine. She was also ordered to pay £100 costs.

The soap star's ban may be cut by four months if she completes a driving course, the Manchester Evening News reports.

Cleaver received her drink drive charge on March 29 after being stopped by police when her Landrover Freelander clipped a kerb.

Her screen son Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw) was also fined by Manchester Magistrates' Court this week after admitting that he left the scene of a car crash in October.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver's 17-month road ban for drink driving has been condemned as 'too soft' by a campaign group.

The actress, who plays Weatherfield's Eileen Grimshaw, was issued with the penalty yesterday after confessing that she had used her vehicle while almost twice above the legal alcohol limit.

Appearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court, Cleaver was also told that she must pay a £1,000 fine and £100 costs.

Responding to the punishment, Campaign Against Drinking and Driving representative Carol Whittingham told the Daily Express: "What this lady got is not sending out a strong message. She should have been looking at a minimum of two years' disqualification and a £5,000 fine."

Cleaver received her drink driving charge on March 29 after being stopped by police when her Landrover Freelander clipped a kerb.

Her defence lawyer Richard Silver yesterday said that the star felt "highly ashamed and deeply embarrassed" over the matter.

DS