Katie Price, 40, was cleared of drink-driving but found guilty of being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle after appearing at Bexley Magistrates’ Court today. She argued she was not in control of the vehicle when she was arrested in October, but was found guilty of being in charge of the vehicle while nearly twice the legal limit. The former glamour was sentenced to a three-month driving ban on top of her ban from earlier this year for driving while disqualified.
Katie was also ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge on top of a £1,500 fine, totalling £2,425 to pay.
The judge ordered the charge if drink-driving be dropped because prosecutors offered insufficient evidence.
Earlier today, Katie failed to crack a smile as she hid behind sunglasses when arriving at the court.
The mother-of-five opted for smart black trousers, a white shirt, a blazer and heels for her court attire.
She also sported curly hair and stood out with her pink lipgloss.
Ahead of her arrival, Katie took to Instagram, telling her 1.9 million fans she will be “positive” whatever the outcome of today’s trial.
She shared a snap of her infamous pink Range Rover with the caption: “Massive day tomorrow back in court regarding my pink baby that @dannyscustompaint fixed up for me.
“Whatever the outcome I’ll continue to be my new positive self.”
The Court heard that Katie was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving following an alleged incident on Shooters Hill Road, Woolwich in October.
The former model denied an additional charge of drink-driving when she appeared at court today, having already entered a not-guilty plea to being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit.
Giving evidence Police Constables Benjamin Jones has said he approached Katie’s car to find her in the back of the vehicle with her boyfriend, Kris Boyson, in the passenger seat.
He said: “Her eyes were blurred and her speech was a bit slurred. Although she was sitting, it was in a slumped position.
“I could smell alcohol. In my opinion she was drunk.”
Prosecutor Sonya Saul asked him how drunk Katie appeared, to which the officer replied: “I would say very.”
He added that the car showed signs of a collision, with the bumper hanging off and pieces of shrubbery attached to its exterior.
Pc Jones continued: “I also noticed what appeared to be sick on the outside of the car.”
The court also heard that Katie and Mr Boyson said a third person had been driving and that they ran off after the trio had an argument.
Pc Jones said Mr Boyson told her to “shut up” when she was asked who was driving.
He added the pair both said the unnamed person who fled the car had the key, but the car’s engine later turned on.
Katie was arrested and taken to Plumstead police station for a breathalyser test.
Th prosecutor said she told officers she had been at a friend’s birthday celebration for the evening, during which she was drinking pornstar martini cocktails.
Ms Saul concluded: “The Crown says that Katie Price was clearly in charge of the car while drunk and also had been driving the car before it was stopped while over the limit.”