Former EastEnders star Leanne Lakey 'attempted to smuggle 3kg of cocaine into UK'
FORMER EastEnders star Leanne Lakey pleaded not guilty to attempting to smuggle cocaine into the UK at Croydon Crown Court.
Former EastEnders star Leanne Lakey 'attempted to smuggle 3kg of cocaine into UK'
The actress is alleged to have smuggled almost three kilos of the illegal substance through Gatwick airport in the bottom of a suitcase.
The crown court was told that she tried to sneak the cocaine past security with co-accused Dean Shanahan, 47.
It was alleged the pair were working together in a joint enterprise to get the Class A drug into the country.
Both Leanne and Dean pleaded not guilty to one count of importing cocaine at Gatwick Airport on December 1, last year.
Leanne Lakey pleaded not guilty to attempting to smuggle cocaine into the UK
Leanne played Belinda Peacock in EastEnders from 2001 - 2003
The soap star is set to return to court for a three-day trial later this year.
In the meantime, both Leanne and Dean have been bailed on the condition that they reside at their recorded addresses.
Furthermore, Dean must obey an electronically-tagged curfew between 10pm and 7am.
Leanne was replaced by another actress when Belinda made a recent return to the soap
Leanne starred in long-running BBC series EastEnders between 2001 and 2003 as Belinda Peacock.
Her character made a recent return to the soap but was she was dropped in favour of another actress.
Having trained at Chiswick's arts Educational School, she has also made appearances in Casualty, The Bill and Holby City.