Cleaver's drink drive penalty 'too soft'

Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver's 17-month road ban for drink driving has been condemned as 'too soft' by a campaign group.

The actress, who plays Weatherfield's Eileen Grimshaw, was issued with the penalty yesterday after confessing that she had used her vehicle while almost twice above the legal alcohol limit.

Appearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court, Cleaver was also told that she must pay a £1,000 fine and £100 costs.

Responding to the punishment, Campaign Against Drinking and Driving representative Carol Whittingham told the Daily Express: "What this lady got is not sending out a strong message. She should have been looking at a minimum of two years' disqualification and a £5,000 fine."

Cleaver received her drink driving charge on March 29 after being stopped by police when her Landrover Freelander clipped a kerb.

Her defence lawyer Richard Silver yesterday said that the star felt "highly ashamed and deeply embarrassed" over the matter.