Actress admits drug driving
Former Casualty and Holby City star Amanda Mealing has been banned from driving for nearly two years after admitting to drug driving and causing a serious crash. The 57-year-old actress, known for playing Connie Beauchamp in both BBC medical dramas, was behind the wheel of her Mini Cooper when she veered across the road and collided with a Skoda driven by theatre nurse Mark Le Sage.
The crash took place at 10:14am in January 2024 on the A1175 at Hope Pole, near Stamford, Lincolnshire. Magistrates heard that Mealing had 18mcg of cocaine per litre of blood, almost double the legal limit, and nearly five times the permitted amount of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
Victim unable to work
Le Sage, who was driving to work at the time, recalled hearing an “explosion” before his car began to spin. He was initially trapped by his foot under a pedal, and when he eventually escaped, his car was filled with smoke. In a statement read in court, he said he now suffers constant pain in his legs, neck, back, hip and shoulder, as well as sight and hearing issues. He also reported experiencing flashbacks and nightmares about the crash. He has been unable to continue working due to a loss of fine motor skills.
Career and personal history
Amanda Mealing first appeared as Connie Beauchamp in Holby City in 2004 and reprised the role regularly in Casualty until her departure in 2021. Her character was central to major storylines, including battles with cancer and prescription drug addiction. Outside of acting, Mealing is also a director and has worked on various television projects. She is married to screenwriter Richard Sainsbury, with whom she has two sons.
Mealing’s solicitor said the actress is “deeply ashamed” of the incident, adding that she does not regularly take drugs. He highlighted that her brother died of a drug overdose at 18, an event which had a lasting impact on her.
