Katie Price’s family have reportedly begged her to “cut ties” with toxic people in her life, following her drink-driving arrest earlier this week.
On Wednesday, the former glamour model appeared in court following a single-vehicle crash near her home in Sussex on Tuesday morning.
In court, the 43-year-old pleaded guilty to three charges of drink-driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
According to The Independent, the court heard that after being confronted by police at the scene, Katie said: “I took drugs, I should not be driving, I admit it all.”
Prosecutor Debbie Jones also told the court a drugs wipe gave a positive reading for cocaine.
Joe Harrington, Katie’s defence solicitor, said: “As I understand it, she had been drinking, she was lonely, and she decided to go and see a friend who lived a relatively short distance away and that is when the incident happened.”
“She has had a lot of personal problems recently. Currently she is in the process of bankruptcy proceedings, so her house may be repossessed. So, quite a lot going on in this lady’s life, a really difficult period.”
The lawyer asked magistrates to defer the sentencing for several weeks, while Katie seeks treatment at The Priory.
The mother-of-five was taken to the rehab centre following her court appearance on Wednesday, and her family are now pleading with her to cut ties with the toxic people in her life.
A source told The Sun: “Katie’s family are desperately worried about her and the kind of people around her.”
“Obviously there’s noone to blame but Katie for what happened but they feel like some people close to her are just there for the parties, the holidays, the good times – and won’t be there to pick her up when she’s feeling down or lonely.”
“They want her to cut ties with the toxic people in her life and concentrate on getting better.”
Katie’s family addressed her arrest in an Instagram post shared on Tuesday, revealing the mother-of-five is “unwell” in an emotional statement.
They wrote: “As a family we have for some time been concerned about Kate’s wellbeing and overall mental health. Today our worst fears nearly came true.”
“As a family we have been and will continue to help Kate get the help she needs. We hope that she will realise that she cannot battle her issues alone.”
“We would kindly ask that the media and wider public give Kate the time and space she needs to seek the necessary treatment, so that she can hopefully return to the Kate we know and love as a mother, daughter and sister.”
“We are concerned and worried about her deeply, we know she lives her life publicly and to many she is fair game, but as a family we hope she can find her path privately moving forward during this very difficult period in her life.”
“We are not asking for sympathy – just that it is recognised that Kate is unwell. We take great comfort in reading the messages of support and love for Kate that we will pass on to her, in the hope that these positive messages will help spur her on.”
“It takes great strength for one to acknowledge they need help, we hope the door is now open for Kate to learn to love herself and to be happy within.”
“Mental illness is not a personal failure,” they added, before signing off with: “The Price Family.”
Katie’s fiancé Carl Woods also took to Instagram on Tuesday following the incident, and shared his support for his wife-to-be.
The former Love Island star wrote: “Relationships are tested. People test each other – but when you love someone like I love Katie. You enjoy the highs and good times together. And that bond is tested during the low and difficult times together.”
“Katie is a rough diamond. She has her imperfections however they make her perfect to me. She just needs that extra help to be polished.”
“The sunlight will shine through her once again and the sparkles that she brings to everyone will return. I love you Katie 100%. My Dolly, always here, always will be,” the 32-year-old added.
