STAR'S SHAME
Helen Flanagan BANNED from driving after blaming boyfriend when £66k Audi was caught speeding twice in just 16 days
Ex-Corrie star also handed a huge fine after begging court not to ban her from the road
HELEN Flanagan has been banned from driving after she blamed her boyfriend when her Audi was clocked speeding twice in 16 days.
The former Corrie star claimed ex-footballer boyfriend Robbie Talbot was behind the wheel at the time of the offences.
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She appeared at Wirral Magistrates' Court today after being convicted of failing to provide documents over the speeding offences.
Flanagan, who played Rosie Webster in the ITV soap, was handed a six month driving ban and fined £3,000 in total.
The 34-year-old was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £800 and prosecution costs totalling £110.
JPs heard on the first occasion, Flanagan's £66,000 Audi Q7 was clocked going 42mph in a 30mph zone at around 1.16pm on July 10.
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On July 26, the car was travelling at 51mph in a 40mph zone near to junction six of the M57 at 11.16am.
Flanagan, who already had six points on her licence, did not subsequently respond to intended notices of prosecution.
She today told the court where she lives with her three children is "very remote" and she would struggle without a driving licence.
The actress shares Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and Charlie, three with ex-fiancé and Bristol Rovers player Scott Sinclair.
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She moaned she would struggle to drop the kids off to meet Sinclair mid-way between their homes if banned from the roads.
The star then described their relationship as "draining" and "very difficult" when asked if other arrangements could be made.
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Flanagan also claimed she is "really struggling at the moment financially" and can only afford to pay her tax and VAT.
She added: "My job really is being a mummy at home. Their dad works away. I earn money on social media, but it kind of varies really what I earn. I used to earn quite well from it but I haven’t done so well the past year.
“I think it’s just what happens sometimes. It's just what happens really.”
The mum-of-three told JPs boyfriend Robbie, who has played for Morecambe and Burton Albion, was driving at the time.
When asked about receiving the intended notices of prosecution, Flanagan said: "I was really really angry. I said you need to reply, this is really important.
"I very stupidly and naively thought it was acceptable for my boyfriend to reply and explain to the police that it was him that was driving. It wasn’t me. My boyfriend was the one that was driving, it wasn’t me.”
Flanagan said if she was banned from driving, her mental health would impacted as she could no longer attend therapy sessions.
But sentencing, Chairman David Holley said: "We have listened carefully to everything said today, in particular we take into account the arguments in relation to your three children, the impact your children’s father would suffer, your current partner and the impact a ban would have on your mental health.
“It is a high bar to pass and it is inevitable that every disqualification comes with an element of hardship.
"We are not satisfied that you or those around you would suffer exceptional hardship if you were disqualified from driving.”
Robbie, 45, claimed he has evidence that he did respond to the letter but the court was told police have received no documentation.
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Helen and Robbie's relationship was revealed when she took part in Celebs Go Dating.
She previously dated Scott Sinclair for 13 years before calling it quits in 2022.
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