Confirmed: Lauren Socha to exit Misfits

It has been confirmed that Misfits star Lauren Socha, who has played young offender Kelly Bailey since 2009, will not be returning for the fourth series.

On Wednesday 2 May, she was convicted of racially aggravated assault. The actress was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and community service for abusing taxi driver Sakander Iqbal. The incident took place in Derby city centre after a nine-hour pub drinking session in the early hours of October 1, 2011.

Mr Iqbal, 52, said he had never experienced such abuse in his 22 years as a taxi driver. He played reporters the recording he made on his mobile phone of her eight-minute rant, littered with swear words and racist remarks.

Lauren Socha originally denied the assault, but changed her plea to guilty. She wiped away tears as details of her case were discussed in court.

Judge Hilary Watson told her: "Your conduct on that night was despicable and Mr Iqbal rightly brought it to the attention of the police and then the courts." She added: "When heavily in drink and pumped up you chose to express yourself in that despicable way."

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "Clerkenwell Films and Lauren Socha agreed some time ago that along with other cast members, including Iwan Rheon and Antonia Thomas, she would not be returning for the fourth series."

In the gritty E4 show, which counts celebrities such as Jonathan Ross as fans, a freak storm leaves a group of ASBO teens with super powers. Since its debut in 2009, the series has garnered awards, ardent fans and critical plaudits in equal measure.