Ex-EastEnders Actress Leanne Lakey Denies Cocaine Smuggling Charge

Court: Lakey

Former EastEnders actress Leanne Lakey has appeared in court accused of smuggling nearly three kilos of cocaine, hidden in the bottom of a suitcase.

The 39 year-old actress, who played Belinda Peacock in the BBC soap between 2001 and 2003, denied the charge at Croydon Crown Court.

Waitress Lakey, of Parklands Drive, Chelmsford, Essex - who also appeared in Family Affairs - will return for a three-day trial on December 18.

She appeared in the dock with Dean Shanahan, 47, of The Ridgeway, Colindale.

Trial: Shanahan

Both pleaded not guilty to one count of importing the Class A drug at Gatwick Airport on December 1, last year.

The prosecution say the cocaine was found in Shanahan’s case and the pair were together in a joint enterprise.

The actress trained at Chiswick’s Arts Educational School and has also appeared in Casualty, The Bill and Holby City.

Both were bailed on condition they reside at their recorded addresses and Shanahan must obey an electronically-tagged curfew between 10pm and 7am.

Lacey will also be allowed to stay at her boyfriend’s place in Chaucer Road, Bedford with the court’s permission.