Jail warning for Doherty

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Troubled singer Pete Doherty today pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing drugs including heroin and crack cocaine.

The Babyshambles front man was arrested in April just hours after being sentenced to a two-year community order for previous drug offences.

Today, the 27-year-old pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates' Court in east London for possessing heroin, cocaine, of which some was crack cocaine, and cannabis.

District Judge Alison Rose warned the singer, who lives in Laburnum Street, Haggerston, east London, he could face jail.

Doherty, who appeared in court wearing blue jeans, a white polo shirt and braces after spending the night in custody, also admitted to one count of possession on the August 7 this year, when he was found with a crack pipe and a small amount of crack cocaine.

Sentencing was adjourned until September 4, when he is due to return to Thames Magistrates' Court.

All options were open to her, the judge said, and that "most definitely includes the possibility of custody".

The court was told police had stopped a car at 2pm on April 20 in which Doherty was a passenger.

In his possession, or under the passenger seat, were found 1.37 grams of heroin, 1.86 grams of cocaine - of which 0.64 grams was crack - and 0.916 grams of cannabis.

On searching his home, police also found 1.49 grams of cannabis, Tony Connell, for the prosecution, said.

On August 7 the musician was found to have 0.113 grams of crack cocaine and a crack pipe in his possession.

Doherty pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing drugs, offences which also breach the condition of his community order.

But Doherty's counsel Sean Curran told the court that while the singer has not had a negative drugs test since the order was imposed he was "positively" engaged with treatment and a negative result was a "realisable and achievable goal".

"In terms of negative testing from what would be a starting point of February, there has been a substantial and tangible improvement not only in reduction in drug use but his physical health," he said.

Doherty has recently had an implant fitted to help him fight his addiction, he said.

Mr Curran said that when the singer was arrested on April 20 he had been clearing the illegal substances out of the car.

Doherty had "forgotten" about the pipe when he was arrested on August 7.

"He has only hurt himself by his drug addiction. He is in a position that he can fund it without criminal activity," Mr Curran added.

Applying for bail, Mr Curran said: "It's clear he's a very talented musician, unfortunately the chaotic world that encompasses that has led to some of his downfall."

He asked that Doherty be released into the care of a rehabilitation hospital and be allowed to perform a concert next weekend.

"If he is unable to perform, it may have a serious detrimental impact on his career.

"If his career is taken from him that could lead to potential lapses, and relapses should he recover from his addiction."

The judge remanded Doherty on bail, on the condition he resided at the Priory hospital in Southgate, north London, every night, and observe a 10pm to 8am curfew.

The terms of the bail order will allow him to perform with his band at a concert in Clapham Common, south London, next weekend.

After the hearing Doherty was ushered through a crowd of photographers and reporters by half a dozen police officers, and was driven away in a Range Rover without commenting.

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