Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Barbara Knox denies drinking driving: Coronation Street star pleads not guilty in court

The veteran soap actress refutes a charge of drink driving

Ella Alexander
Thursday 24 April 2014 09:33 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Coronation Street actress Barbara Knox has denied drink driving.

She appeared at Macclesfield Magistrates Court in Cheshire today, after being charged with the offence earlier this month.

“She was physically manhandled in the police station,” said Knox’s lawyer, Nick Freeman. “It was agreed she was in a highly emotionally-charged state. She was described as tearful.”

The 80-year-old soap veteran was arrested at a police station after allegedly driving when over the alcohol limit. She had gone to the police station after her daughter, Maxine Ashcroft, had been charged with the same offence. The two had reportedly spent the afternoon together at a family event in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

Ashcroft was later banned from driving for two years. Freeman – also known as Mr Loophole - said at the time of the incident that she had made a “terrible error of judgement” in what was a “classic case of alcohol anaesthetising good sense”.

Knox – who plays Rita Tanner in the television soap - was sent away on unconditional bail today after pleading not guilty. She will return to court on July 23 to stand trial.

Read more: Barbara Knox is arrested
William Roache found not guilty
Michael Le Vell cleared of child rape

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in