EastEnders' Star's Cocaine Shame

Former EastEnders star Leanne Lakey - who played Belinda Peacock in the BBC soap - tested positive for cocaine after she was arrested on suspicion of stealing £6,500 from the pub who took her on as a manageress.

This fact was kept from the jury who tried and acquitted her last week - after she told them the missing cash was due to the pub's shambolic accounting practises rather than any dishonesty by her.

"The reasonable inference is this defendant stole the money to finance an expensive habit," prosecutor Mr. Rupert Kent told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court. "She tested positive at the police station after her arrest."

White powder was also found on an Oyster card and a CD case and Lakey's boyfriend was recently convicted of serious cocaine offences, but these facts were not revealed to the jury, along with her alleged confession to using the drug on the premises.

Lakey, 34, of Tindal Street, Chelmsford denied and was found not guilty of stealing the reduced figure of £3,894 from the Royal Standard pub, Ballantine Street, Wandsworth between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.

"This defendant stole that amount of money," Mr. Kent told the jury. "However, you will be asked to consider whether this was through mismanagement.

"The prosecution case is the only conclusion is this defendant had her hand in the till. That is the explanation as to where all this money went."

Lakey, who was described by her boss Ian Harrison as a "resting actress" was given grace and favour accommodation above the pub, made a partner in the company and paid £250 per week wages.

"She was carefully trained as to how to manage the public house," explained Mr. Kent.

On June 22, 2010 her two bosses realised something was wrong. "They were unable to contact the defendant at the pub and found a number of problems."

An audit revealed an initial shortfall of £6,500.

Lakey eventually sat down with her bosses on August 7. "This defendant failed to account for the six and a half thousand pounds of missing money and she was dismissed from her employment."

Three days later she was arrested by police and declined to answer any questions.

Once expenses incurred by Lakey were taken into account the shortfall was reduced to £3,894. "The Crown's case is that this defendant stole this money," added Mr. Kent.