PREVIEW

Peaky Blinders star fined for crack cocaine possession. Appearing at a London Magistrates' Court, Paul Anderson was accused of possessing crack cocaine, amphetamines and two prescription substances. The 48-year-old actor, whose on-screen character Arthur Shelby has been shown turning to drug use had been picked up by police officers on Boxing Day for suspected possession of drugs. It’s reported that.the manager of a pub near Paul's home called police, after patrons let him know that crack-cocaine fumes had been coming from the disabled toilet Anderson had been using. According to sources, the actor's solicitor told the court that Anderson frequently found himself trying to live up to his fictional alter ego's hard-living persona. ”You will recognise the defendant from a very intense part that he has played in a recent television programme.” "He is often recognised and does his best to please fans of the show by slipping into character... He was recognised that Boxing Day and tried to play up for these people.” THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT