After serving 15 months in prison for possession of LSD, Mottley embarked on an acting career.

Mottley's film credits included Scrubbers and a small role in Superman III.

She had made other TV appearances, including in Bergerac and a guest role on the sitcom Only Fools and Horses, in the episode "Who's a Pretty Boy?"

[3] In the months leading up to her death, Mottley became depressed about losing her job and developed an addiction to cocaine and alcohol.

On Valentine's Day 1985, Mottley’s body was found in her Shirland Road flat in Maida Vale, West London.