I'll give up drugs, says junkie Pete

Pete Doherty last night pledged to give up crack and heroin after escaping jail for drug possession.

The troubled Babyshambles frontman admitted seven charges and was given a 12-month community order.

He was also ordered to take part in a year-long rehab programme.

After leaving court in West London, Doherty told Radio 1: 'As far as drugs are concerned, it's simple. I would rather be on the outside with no smack than inside prison with no smack.'

If the 26-year-old singer fails monthly drug tests, he faces being locked up.

Bryony Derbyshire, prosecuting, told the court Doherty was stopped by police on November 30 and heroin and cocaine were found in his car.

The rocker was behaving in a 'nervous and fidgety manner' and told officers: 'If you search my car, I'm f***ed.'

He was stopped again four days later and caught with heroin, morphine, crack and marijuana. And on January 26, Doherty, of Hackney, East London, was flagged down again and found to be carrying heroin.

Sean Curran, representing the singer at Ealing Magistrates' Court, said: 'He is only a harm to himself and the real shame here would be if he did not receive the treatment he needs.'

In the radio interview, Doherty complained of being locked up with murderers and paedophiles. He became angry when asked if the only reason he had avoided jail was because he was famous.

'What do you think I've been doing for the last 12 days? Picking tulips?' he demanded. 'I'm not a threat to society, I'm not encouraging or ever will encourage people to take drugs.'

When asked if he was 'on anything' during the interview, Doherty replied, 'What, right now?' and hung up.