Alan Carr's estranged husband Paul Drayton has been freed two days into his 14-week prison sentence.
Alan Carr's estranged husband Paul Drayton has been freed
On Wednesday (26.01.22), the 50 year old - who is battling alcoholism - was jailed for drunkenly driving into a police car with an alcohol test reading “off the scale”.
His lawyer John Dye appealed the sentence, with Direct Judge Amanda Kelly telling him that the correct procedure was to appeal the case to crown court.
Drayton was refused bail, but on Friday (28.01.22) he was freed.
The news comes two days after appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to a single count of driving a motor vehicle above the legal alcohol limit.
The court heard how police had received a phone call from worried members of the public on October 9, 2021, when they witnessed an intoxicated Drayton driving in Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex, England, shortly before 3pm.
Prosecutor Suzanne Soros said police officers tracked him down and witnessed his vehicle “swerving from side to side” and decided to pull him over, suspecting he had been drinking.
A compliant Drayton complied with the officers' request, but then proceeded to "reverse into the police vehicle”, Ms Soros told the court, leading to other cop cars boxing him in so he could drive off.
His breath test returned a reading of 153 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath which is four times the legal limit in the UK.
John Dye, defending Drayton, told the court that the events of that day were the result of a “perfect storm in his life”, which included his alcoholism spiralling out of control, mental health issues, physical health issues and the breakdown of his marriage to TV comedian Carr, 45,
The judge acknowledged Drayton's addiction issues and efforts to get sober in rehab when sentencing him, but had insisted she had no choice but to give him jail time, stating "you were gambling with the lives of others".
She said: "You were dicing with death when you got behind the wheel in that state.
“Not only were you gambling with your own life but you were gambling with the lives of others."
As well as the overturned prison sentence, Drayton was banned from driving for three years.
This month, Carr announced his separation from Drayton.
The 'Chatty Man' host made the "difficult decision" to part ways with Paul after 13 years as a couple and three years of marriage.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: "After 13 years as a couple and three years of marriage, Alan Carr and Paul Drayton would like to announce they are separating." They have jointly and amicably made the difficult decision to divorce and go their separate ways. We request that their privacy is respected at this sensitive time."
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