You think you are above the law..you deserve to spend Xmas behind bars
Judge slams Price as she avoids jail for drunken car crash
KATIE Price was told she was “extremely lucky” not to be jailed yesterday after her drink and drug-fuelled car crash.
The shamed model, 43, flipped her BMW X5 on a country road after spending the night drinking and taking cocaine at her home.
She had got behind the wheel despite being banned from driving and having no insurance.
The mother of five, who has been banned from driving five times already, admitted all charges the day after the crash and had faced a maximum jail sentence of six months.
District Judge Amanda Kelly reluctantly handed her a 16-week term, suspended for a year, and banned her from the roads for a further two years.
The judge, sitting at Crawley magistrates court in Sussex, told Price: “You deserve to spend Christmas behind bars. You could have killed someone’s partner, child, parent or friend.
“You appear to think you are above the law. You have one of the worst driving records I have seen. If you put a foot wrong in the weeks and months ahead you will certainly go to prison.”
Price hung her head and looked tearful as the judge slammed her actions over the crash at 6am on September 28.
The star told police she had decided to go out and see a friend because she was “lonely”.
But she lost control of the BMW, flipped it on to its side and ploughed into a hedge on the B2135 in Partridge Green, Sussex.
The former Loose Women panellist told GLAM Price’s usual look police officers at the scene: “I’m guilty. I drank alcohol. I took drugs. I shouldn’t be driving. I admit it.” Tests later showed that Price had 66 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. The following day, Crawley magistrates said that her sentence would be deferred provided she have treatment at the Priory Centre, not offend again and be banned from driving in the interim.
And yesterday, Judge Kelly told her: “The public may be appalled to know that I cannot send you to prison today.
“But the law says that when a person had complied with the terms of their release then you have a legitimate expectation you will not be sent to prison today. You are extremely lucky the magistrates on the previous occasions chose to defer sentence.”
Joe Harrington, defending, told the court: “This is a lady with an awful lot going on. She has five children, is the only consistent adult in Harvey’s life, has four other children aged six to 16 and her mother is terminally ill.”
As well as her suspended sentence, Price was ordered to attend 20 rehabilitation sessions, carry out 100 hours of community service and pay a victim surcharge of £128 and costs of £85. Sussex Police said they may appeal.
The public will be appalled to know that I cannot send you to prison today DISTRICT JUDGE AMANDA KELLY IN SENTENCING REMARKS