Katie Price avoids jail after flipping car while drink-driving

Katie Price has avoided jail after flipping her car in a crash and admitting drink-driving while disqualified.

The 43-year-old TV personality and former glamour model has been handed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, as well as a two-year driving ban.

Price told officers after the collision, which happened near to her home in Sussex in September: “I took drugs, I should not be driving, I admit it all.”

The star had been driving to visit a nearby friend when the crash occurred near Partridge Green at around 6.20am on 28 September, Crawley Magistrates’ Court heard previously. She was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital.

A drugs wipe gave a positive reading for cocaine and a roadside breath test taken by Price following the accident was positive for alcohol, the court heard.

Price’s sentencing was adjourned at an earlier hearing on the condition that she have treatment at the Priory Centre, not commit any further offences, and be banned from driving in the interim.

Sentencing on Wednesday, District Judge Amanda Kelly told the star her actions were “incredibly selfish” and that when she “chose to get behind the wheel… intoxicated” she showed “no concern at all for the life of others”.

All three emergency services “had to use up precious resources dealing [with the crash] at a time when they were already stretched”, the judge said.

“You appear to think you are above the law,” she told Price, adding that the star has one of the worst driving records she has ever seen and was lucky not to be going to jail.

The judge said she was not able to sentence the star to prison, “even though you deserve it”.

Price was also sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 sessions of rehabilitation work with probation. There was no separate penalty for driving without insurance.

She was also ordered to pay £213 in costs – and already owes the court £7,358. She could face prison for the outstanding court fees, although the judge has given her time to settle.