Katie Price sentencing: what is reality star’s sentence after drink driving car crash - will she go to jail?

Katie Price has been sentenced for drink-driving while disqualified and without insurance following a crash near her home in Sussex in September.

Price has been handed a 16-week suspended jail sentence at Crawley Magistrates’ Court as well as a two-year driving ban.

This is everything you need to know.

What happened?

In September, Price was involved in an incident which left her car flipped on its side. Police officers responded to the crash at around 6:20am, where Price was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving while above the legal limit for alcohol and drugs.

She first appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on September 29, a day after telling police: “I took drugs, I should not be driving, I admit it all” following a collision on the B2135 near Partridge Green.

Prosecutor Debbie Jones said that a drug wipe gave a positive reading for cocaine. The court was also told that a roadside breath test, taken by Price, was also positive for alcohol.

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

At the time, chair of the bench Julie Hutton warned Price that “we regularly send people to prison for driving whilst disqualified”.

After the crash Price’s family had expressed concern for the 43-year-old.

In a statement from the family shared on Price’s Instagram account, they said: “As a family we have for some time been concerned about Kate’s wellbeing and overall mental health.

“Today our worst fears nearly came true. As a family we have been and will continue to help Kate get the help she needs.

“We hope that she will realise that she cannot battle her issues alone.”

Will she go to jail?

Price has managed to avoid jail time for the offences.

Price was given a sentence of 16 weeks suspended for 12 months, 100 hours of unpaid work, 20 sessions of rehabilitation work with probation, and a two-year driving ban.

She will also pay £213 in costs. The court was told that she already owes the court £7,358.

Prior to her sentencing, Price was been warned that she could face jail time over the offences.

A source reportedly told the Mail Online that Price was “terrified” before appearing in court for her sentencing.

They said: “The devastating reality of her situation is starting to hit home and Katie is terrified. It’s a reality she has never faced before, which is understandably unnerving.

“It’s not just herself who she’s worried about, it’s the potential reaction of her children.

“She can’t stop thinking about it and is full of dread, but has been planning as if she is going to have a normal Christmas for the kids as a distraction.”

What does the law say about drink driving?

According to the Government website, “driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink” could result in six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a driving ban for at least one year, or three years if convicted twice in 10 years.

Penalties for drug driving also include a minimum one year driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to six months in prison and a criminal record. A person who has been convicted of drug driving will also have this conviction on their driving licence for 11 years.

Those found to be driving without insurance can also face a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points. Should the case go to court, you could also face an unlimited fine and a disqualification from driving.

Finally, driving whilst disqualified can come with penalties which range from a community penalty, for less serious offences, to six months imprisonment, for more serious offences.

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