Ex-Hollyoaks Star Jemma Keys Attacked Mother During Alcohol-Fueled Row

The troubled daughter of disgraced ex-Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys attacked her mother during an alcohol-fuelled row - the latest in a long line of drink-related incidents that have shook the family.

Former Hollyoaks star Jemma Keys, 28, dug her fingernails into her mother Julia's wrists as Mrs Keys tried to defend herself from a flurry of kicks at the family's £4m Chelsea home.

She pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court today to assaulting Mrs Keys, 53, by beating, on May 21 at the Rawlings Street address they share and was was bailed until June 20 for pre sentence reports, which will include an assessment for alcohol treatment.

Prosecutor Miss Funmi Ajose told the court: "Mrs Keys went to Notting Hill Police Station on the twenty-third of May and said her daughter was at home and was very drunk.

"She said they shared the same house and she was scared to go home and she showed the police cuts to both of her wrists.

"She explained that two days earlier she had returned home at 4pm and Jemma was there and was very drunk and fell on the kitchen floor.

"Her mother went over to her and then placed her on the living-room sofa when Jemma began to kick out and kicked her in the upper legs and abdominal area.

"She tried to defend herself by holding the defendant, but Miss Keys dug her nails into her mother's wrists, causing what has been described as four deep cuts to the left wrist and two cuts to the right wrist."

Her lawyer Fadi Daoud urged the magistrates to order probation reports and said any financial penalty or compensation would only punish the parents.

"The person who would pay it would ultimately be Richard Keys or Julia Keys because she is completely dependant on her parents.

"She is dysfunctional and has no income and no job and is somebody who has had alcohol problems for six or seven years.

"Her mother went to the police because she found her daughter drunk again, face-down, and there has been a lot of history in the past when her mother has not pursued it.

"Miss Keys continued to receive the support of her family and is somebody who can remain sober for six or seven weeks and then relapse.

"It is an on-going problem the family are dealing with. There is a massive amount of history."

Mr. Daoud told the court there was a previous alcohol-related incident involving Keys when she was in charge of a vehicle.

"She was in an abusive relationship with a man and was escaping him when she was drunk and was driving his car."

It is alleged Keys has not complied with a supervision order imposed for that offence, but her lawyer explained: "She had been sent to Thailand by her family for alcohol treatment.

"Miss Keys takes a lot of energy and time out of her family and others and she has to realise it is down to her and hopefully as a result of this the light has come on.

"She is a clever girl from a good family and her family have assisted her by buying her a home and arranging for a car to always pick her up and collect her so she can avoid dangers."

The lawyer asked the court to give Keys credit for her behaviour while on bail. "She could have run away and been found again face-down in the gutter.

"The positive is that she has a family that can and will assist her."

Bench Chairwoman Sarah Leigh told a tearful Keys: "All options are open, including custody, This is a serious time for you."

The court heard Keys was previously arrested by Sussex Police for being drunk and disorderly on January 3 and received a caution.

No compensation is being sought against Miss Keys for the injuries caused and the prosecution had no information as to whether a restraining order was being sought or not.

Since her arrest Jemma has had to obey a night time curfew between 9am and 9pm, not contact her mother directly or indirectly and not enter Rawlings Street.

She had been staying with friends in Abbots Drive, Virginia Water, Wentworth, but they expressed concern they could not control her, particularly as there was a nearby corner shop that sold alcohol.

Miss Keys will now reside with pal Samantha Parry in Plymouth until her sentencing date.