Alan Carr’s estranged husband freed from prison just days after being jailed
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)
Alan Carr’s estranged husband Paul Drayton has been freed from prison just days after he was handed a 14-week sentence for drink driving.
Drayton, a 50-year-old party planner, was arrested in October last year after reversing into a police car while four times over the legal limit.
This week, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and was handed a 14-week prison sentence.
John Dye, representing Drayton, insisted that a “perfect storm” had led to the crash, as Drayton struggled with alcoholism, had been diagnosed with chronic subdural hematoma and needed surgery to drain fluid from his skull, and was dealing with the breakdown of his marriage to Alan Carr.
After Drayton was sentenced, Dye immediately launched an appeal to the Crown Court, according to The Mirror, and Drayton was freed days later. He will now serve a 12-week suspended sentence after Dye argued his mental health would be adversely affected by being behind bars.
“You have led an exemplary life and we take that in your favour,” said judge Shani Barnes. “It is the first time in your 50 years you have come before the courts.
“Good luck sir do not come back. Take the opportunity and put this behind you.”
Paul Drayton and Alan Carr announced their split this month
Earlier this month, Alan Carr and Paul Drayton, who married in 2018, announced that they were separating after more than a decade together.
“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.”
According to Drayton’s legal representation, part of the reason for the breakdown of their marriage was his alcoholism.
At his initial hearing, judge Amanda Kelly accepted that Drayton had been in turmoil but added: “The sad reality is almost everybody comes into this room with lives that have been damaged in some way.”
She continued: “You have endangered the public by driving around in that state.
“It is an absolute miracle you are here to day and have not killed or maimed another member of the public… You gambled with your life and the lives of others.
“You could have easily killed someone’s child, partner, family or friend.”
