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Ex-soap star's suspended sentence Ex-soap star's suspended sentence
(about 11 hours later)
Former Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones, who played Les Battersby, has received a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving.Former Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones, who played Les Battersby, has received a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving.
Jones, 57, of Alderley Edge, Cheshire, was drunk and grabbed the steering wheel from wife Sandra as they drove along the A55 to Abersoch, Gwynedd.Jones, 57, of Alderley Edge, Cheshire, was drunk and grabbed the steering wheel from wife Sandra as they drove along the A55 to Abersoch, Gwynedd.
Under his real name, Ian Roy Jones, he previously admitted the charge.Under his real name, Ian Roy Jones, he previously admitted the charge.
He was sentenced at Mold Crown Court to eight months in prison suspended for 18 months.He was sentenced at Mold Crown Court to eight months in prison suspended for 18 months.
A charge of common assault has also been ordered to lie on file.A charge of common assault has also been ordered to lie on file.
Jones was drunk and shouted "I'll kill us both" as his wife drove a Mercedes along the A55 dual carriageway near Holywell, Flintshire, last August.Jones was drunk and shouted "I'll kill us both" as his wife drove a Mercedes along the A55 dual carriageway near Holywell, Flintshire, last August.
He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving a day after a jury heard his wife's evidence about how he subjected her to years of drink-fuelled physical and emotional abuse.He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving a day after a jury heard his wife's evidence about how he subjected her to years of drink-fuelled physical and emotional abuse.
He has let down those who stood by him. But he is determined to clean himself up and sort himself out Dominic D'Souza, defending barristerHe has let down those who stood by him. But he is determined to clean himself up and sort himself out Dominic D'Souza, defending barrister
He has since vowed to overcome his drink problem and save his marriage.He has since vowed to overcome his drink problem and save his marriage.
Jones showed no emotion as Recorder Simon Medland passed sentence.Jones showed no emotion as Recorder Simon Medland passed sentence.
Mr Medland said: "You threatened to kill both you and your wife and you jerked the steering wheel up and down, causing the car to swerve within its lane.Mr Medland said: "You threatened to kill both you and your wife and you jerked the steering wheel up and down, causing the car to swerve within its lane.
"It is fortunate for you and all others around you that your wife had her wits about her."It is fortunate for you and all others around you that your wife had her wits about her.
"It is all too easy to see if the cards had fallen differently this might have ended in a fatality for you or your wife or for many other drivers.""It is all too easy to see if the cards had fallen differently this might have ended in a fatality for you or your wife or for many other drivers."
Rehab programmeRehab programme
Mr Medland was told Jones is in a 26-week rehab programme to tackle his addiction.Mr Medland was told Jones is in a 26-week rehab programme to tackle his addiction.
He added: "The efforts you are making to turn your life around are impressive."He added: "The efforts you are making to turn your life around are impressive."
Jones' barrister, Dominic D'Souza, said his client is four weeks into a six week residential stay at a rehab clinic.Jones' barrister, Dominic D'Souza, said his client is four weeks into a six week residential stay at a rehab clinic.
Following that he will undergo 20 weeks of cognitive and behavioural therapy and monitoring. Following that he will undergo 20 weeks of cognitive behavioural therapy and monitoring.
Mr D'Souza said: "He is, for the first time in 20 years, beginning to acknowledge his alcohol problems."Mr D'Souza said: "He is, for the first time in 20 years, beginning to acknowledge his alcohol problems."
'Remarkable tolerance''Remarkable tolerance'
He added: "He apologises, primarily to his wife, and he has now got some insight as to how inappropriate his behaviour was.He added: "He apologises, primarily to his wife, and he has now got some insight as to how inappropriate his behaviour was.
"His wife is a woman of remarkable tolerance."His wife is a woman of remarkable tolerance.
"He has let down those who stood by him."He has let down those who stood by him.
"But he is determined to clean himself up and sort himself out.""But he is determined to clean himself up and sort himself out."
Jones was also ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and must complete a 12-month supervision order.Jones was also ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and must complete a 12-month supervision order.
He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and must pay a total of £1,000 towards prosecution and his own costs.He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and must pay a total of £1,000 towards prosecution and his own costs.
The court previously heard how Jones was two-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit when the incident occurred, causing the car to swerve.The court previously heard how Jones was two-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit when the incident occurred, causing the car to swerve.
Mrs Jones steadied the car and stopped safely at a nearby pub.Mrs Jones steadied the car and stopped safely at a nearby pub.
She had told the court her husband had had a drink problem for years.She had told the court her husband had had a drink problem for years.
Jones was almost half way through his trial last month when the jury was discharged because of a legal issue.Jones was almost half way through his trial last month when the jury was discharged because of a legal issue.
He had the option of going for a retrial but decided against it - not wanting to force his long suffering wife to give evidence again, his barrister said.He had the option of going for a retrial but decided against it - not wanting to force his long suffering wife to give evidence again, his barrister said.