Coronation Street’s Barbara Knox ‘manhandled by police’ after being arrested

Barbara Knox, who plays Rita Tanner in Coronation Street, was reportedly 'manhandled by police' after being arrested for drink-driving

rexfeatures_3710828c

by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

Coronation Street actress Barbara Knox, 80, has appeared in court to plead "not guilty" to a charge of drink driving.

And the veteran soapstar has also claimed that she was manhandled in a police station after she was arrested in Cheshire on 10th March.

"She was in a highly emotionally charged state"

She was said to have been a passenger in a Jaguar driven by her daughter, Maxine Ashcroft, 56, who was stopped by police and found to be nearly three times over the drink drive limit.

However, after arriving at a police station where her daughter was being held, Barbara Knox was also arrested.

Her lawyer revealed that he would be calling in medical experts to give support of his elderly client, claiming: “She was physically manhandled in the police station.

"It is agreed she was in a highly emotionally charged state. She was described as being tearful.”

Barbara as Rita in Coronation Street
Barbara as Rita in Coronation Street

And he added: “She does not dispute driving. She does not dispute it was a public place.”

But the lawyer also added later in court that at one point “she appeared to faint”.

The lawyer for the prosecution, however, said that when Ms. Knox arrived at Knutsford police station she appeared to be “intoxicated”.

He said police officers offered to take her home but she “declined”.

He added: “She was then seen to get into and drive a Jaguar motor car a short distance on the car park of Booths supermarket.”

She gave a positive roadside breath test and was arrested.

A later blood sample produced a reading of 85mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

The trial continues.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us