Boozy Dean's Drink-Drive Parking Gaffe

Court Out: Gaffney arriving at & leaving Staines Magistrates' Court

EastEnders star Dean Gaffney was banned from the roads yesterday after police - alerted by his dodgy parking - caught him drink-driving just before midnight.

The 44 year-old, who played Robbie Slater in the BBC soap, revealed at Staines Magistrates Court he has found finding acting work particularly difficult of late.

The father-of-two, who appeared in the BBC soap between 1993 and 2003 and 2017 and 2019 was fined £300, with £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

He was also disqualified from driving for twelve months.

Gaffney, of Willow Bough Yard, Hertford, pleaded guilty to driving his black two-litre Audi A7 diesel with excess alcohol in Viscount Road, Staines on April 28.

He had 46 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Prosecutor Lucy 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 drivers’ side window was open and the driver appeared intoxicated although he said he had not drunk any alcohol.

“The officers could smell intoxicating liquor on his breath and he failed a roadside breath test.

“He admitted during his police interview he had been driving.

“The defendant is of good character with no previous convictions and the only aggravating feature is the presence of a female passenger in the front seat.”

Gaffney, who also made guest appearances on EastEnders in 2004; 2010 and 2015, only spoke to confirm his name and give his address and date of birth.

He was dressed in a smart dark grey suit, white shirt and black tie.

Simon Collingham, defending, told the court: “Mr Gaffney is keen to say how deeply remorseful he is.

“He regrets the offence and is ashamed of his behaviour and losing his good character.

“He should receive full credit for his guilty plea.

“Mr Gaffney was not seen driving, but he admitted to the police he had been driving the vehicle.

“From the age of fifteen 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.

“The opportunities to find work have been difficult and he lives off of his savings and has the full support of his family emotionally.

‘He does express his remorse sincerely. It was out of character and this is not an individual you will see in court again.”

District Judge Julie Cooper gave Gaffney - who in 2006 finished fifth in ITV’s ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ - twenty-eight days to pay.