Dean Gaffney, a former Eastenders actor, claimed the stress of looking for work after the pandemic drove him to drink drive because he was living off his savings.
On the evening of April 28, police discovered the former TV star’s Audi A7 parked on the corner of a road in Staines.
Officers said that they could smell alcohol on Gaffney’s breath after approaching the automobile and forced him to take a breath test.
Since the confinement, the 44-year-old actor has been unable to find work and has been living off his savings.
According to The Sun, prosecutor Luscy Lumsden told the court: ‘It was 11.40pm when police officers on mobile patrol saw an Audi A7 parked on a corner with its lights on and engine running.
‘They approached and the driver’s side window was open. The driver appeared intoxicated, although he said he had not drunk any alcohol.
Former Eastenders star Dean Gaffney, pictured in December 2020 at the funeral of Dame Barbara Windsor, admitted drink driving in Staines on April 28
The only ‘aggravating feature’ the court was told, was the presence of a female passenger in the front seat of the car.
A breath test found Gaffney recorded a reading of 46mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – far in excess of the legal limit of 35mgc.
He was banned from driving for a year and fined £300 as well as told to pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
His defence, Simon Collingham told the court: ‘Mr Gaffney is keen to say how deeply remorseful he is.
‘He regrets the offence and is ashamed of his behaviour.
‘From the age of 15 he has worked full-time in the entertainment industry, but like so many others in the profession since the onset of Covid, he has found it hard to find work.
‘He lives off his savings with the full support of his family emotionally. Mr Gaffney was not seen driving, but he admitted to the police he had been driving the vehicle.
‘He should receive full credit for his guilty plea. He does express his remorse sincerely. It was out of character and this is not an individual you will see in court again.’