Actress Helen Flanagan, famous for her role as Rosie Webster in Coronation Street, is navigating a tough personal and financial situation after being banned from driving for six months.

Despite her heartfelt attempts to explain the challenges a ban would create, magistrates determined her case did not meet the “exceptional hardship” threshold.

Caught Between Speeding Charges and Financial Strain

The trouble began last June when Flanagan’s £66,000 Audi Q7 was caught speeding twice in just 17 days on Merseyside.

The vehicle was recorded doing 42 mph in a 30-mph zone and 51 mph in a 40-mph zone.

She claimed her boyfriend, Robbie Talbot, was driving at the time, but she failed to provide official details to authorities.

Flanagan already had six points on her license for prior offences.

After adding six more points for each speeding charge, her total reached 18—far beyond the 12-point threshold where a driving ban is typically imposed.

Financial Struggles Amid Parenting Duties

In court, Flanagan painted a vivid picture of her daily life as a single mother to three young children: Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and Charlie, three.

She described how heavily she relies on her car to take her children to school, nursery, and extracurricular activities.

Flanagan revealed that while she earned £70,000 last year, her income fluctuates due to her work in social media.

“People assume I can easily afford a driver, but that’s not the case,” she explained, adding that her financial obligations, including taxes and a mortgage, leave her little flexibility.

She noted how even a simple taxi ride, such as the £10 trip to her son’s nursery, was a financial burden.

Furthermore, her youngest child struggles with taxi rides, which adds to her concerns about alternative transport.

Mental Health and Family Dynamics

Beyond her financial struggles, Flanagan spoke candidly about her mental health challenges.

Since 2016, she has been driving to Birmingham for therapy to manage anxiety, OCD, and ADHD.

She highlighted how essential this support is to her well-being.

She also explained her complex relationship with her ex-partner, footballer Scott Sinclair, with whom she shares parenting responsibilities.

The pair meet halfway between her home near Bolton and Sinclair’s home in Bath to facilitate time with their children.

However, arranging alternative transportation for these visits was described as nearly impossible.

Court’s Decision and Reaction

Despite her impassioned plea, the court rejected her claims of exceptional hardship.

Magistrates emphasized that while they considered the impact on her children, partner, and mental health, her circumstances did not meet the legal standard required to avoid a ban.

Flanagan was handed a six-month driving ban, fined £2,000, and ordered to pay additional costs totaling £910.

She appeared visibly upset as the verdict was delivered, later offering to pay the fine in £1,000 installments.

Moving Forward

This latest legal challenge comes as Flanagan adjusts to life after ending her 13-year relationship with Sinclair in 2023.

The court’s decision will undoubtedly add to her existing pressures, but Flanagan has vowed to navigate these difficulties for the sake of her children and her personal growth.

As she left the courtroom, red-faced and silent, her focus seemed firmly on figuring out the next steps in this challenging chapter of her life.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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