Coronation Street star Barbara Knox has appeared in court to face her drink-driving charge.
The actress pleaded guilty to the charge at Crewe magistrates court this morning (January 23), and has been handed a fine and a 12-month driving ban.
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Coronation Street actress Barbara Knox leaves Macclesfield Magistrates' Court, with her solicitor Nick Freeman (right), following her appearance in court accused of drink driving.
Picture date: Thursday April 24, 2014. Knox - who plays the role of Rita Tanner in the ITV soap - was charged following an incident in Knutsford, Cheshire, on March 10. See PA story COURTS Knox. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
© PA Images
She previously denied that she committed the offence, but chose to change her plea at today's hearing, which comes more than ten months after she was arrested in Cheshire last March.
The 81-year-old - who must pay a fine of £3,000 - was told by the judge that her ban would almost be over had she admitted to the offence from the outset.
She was held by police shortly after her daughter, 56-year-old Maxine Ashcroft, had been arrested for the same offence.
Ashcroft was found to be three times over the legal limit, and was banned from driving for two years last year.
The prosecution has alleged that the soap star arrived at Middlewich police station to check on her daughter after her arrest, and was advised not to drive as she appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
She chose to drive home, but was stopped by police for a breathalyser test before being taken into custody herself.
