Les Battersby actor admits dangerous driving

Bruce Jones and his wife Sandra in happier times

Former Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones, who played Les Battersby, has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Jones, of Alderley Edge, Cheshire, grabbed the steering wheel from his wife Sandra, Mold Crown Court heard.

Appearing under his real name of Ian Roy Jones, he admitted the charge after his trial jury was earlier discharged.

He was drunk as they drove along the A55 on their way to Abersoch, Gwynedd. Jones, 57, also admitted drink-driving and will be sentenced next month.

A charge of common assault was ordered to lie on file.

Jones was two-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit, the court was told, and received an interim driving ban.

Jones, who has been married for 26 years, was in the passenger seat when he became angry and grabbed the steering wheel.

The court heard that this made the car swerve dangerously.

Mrs Jones, who was driving the Mercedes along the A55 dual carriageway near Holywell, Flintshire, steadied the car and stopped safely at a nearby pub.

She told the court her husband had had a drink problem for years.

He was bailed to an undisclosed address where he must remain indoors at night apart from when he is doing charitable theatrical work.

Jones was remanded in custody overnight and that, the court heard, had given him time to reflect on his alcohol problem, which he appreciated had contributed to his downfall in recent years.