Alan Carr’s estranged husband jailed for drunkenly smashing into police car
Alan Carr and his estranged husband Paul Drayton. (Getty)
Alan Carr’s estranged husband Paul Drayton has been handed a 14 week jail sentence for drink-driving.
Drayton pleaded guilty after reversing into a police car while under the influence last year.
The 50-year-old “diced with death” when he got on the road while drunk, judge Amanda Kelly said on Wednesday (26 January).
He was caught “swerving from side to side” by police on a road in West Sussex, near the home he shared with Alan Carr, last October.
When officers signalled for him to pull over, Drayton reversed into the police car. A breathalyser reading was “off the scale” and revealed him to be four times over the legal limit.
John Dye, representing Drayton, said a “perfect storm” of difficulties led him to drink-drive. As well as his battle with alcoholism, he had suffered an injury after falling from a horse and was facing an operation to drain fluid from his skull.
“And the final straw, as is now well documented, his private live as well,” Dye said.
“His partner of some 13 or 14 years – that relationship has broken down, partly due to the problems Mr Drayton has with alcohol.”
Paul Drayton (L) and Alan Carr attend the British LGBT Awards at The Grand Connaught Rooms on May 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
As well has handing down a custodial sentence, judge Kelly also disqualified Drayton from driving.
Though she was empathetic to Drayton’s battle with alcoholism and his split from husband Alan Carr, she said: “The sad reality is almost everybody comes into this room with lives that have been damaged in some way.”
“You gambled with your life and the lives of others,” she added.
“You could have easily killed someone’s child, partner, family or friend.”
The hearing came days after Paul Drayton and Alan Carr announced their separation.
“After 13 years as a couple and three years of marriage, Alan Carr and Paul Drayton would like to announce they are separating,” a representative said in a statement on 21 January.
“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.”
The couple had spoken frankly in the months leading to the split about Drayton’s alcoholism.
He broke his sobriety last year, citing the pressures of lockdown.
Carr announced Drayton was seeking treatment after he shared a photo of himself apparently injured after a “bad row” in August 2021, which sparked speculation.
Carr clarified: “While I was away filming on location the past few weeks, Paul fell off the wagon and started drinking again.
“We are now working together to get the help he needs to get better which is our number one priority right now.”
In December, after his arrest, Drayton returned to social media to thank fans for their support. He also revealed that he had been diagnosed with “chronic subdural hematoma” and was undergoing surgery to drain fluid from his skull.
Alan Carr and Paul Drayton in married in January 2018 after a decade of dating.
Adele, a close friend, organised and paid for the ceremony.
