Courtney Love gets 18 months rehab in drugs case

Rocker Courtney Love has been sentenced to 18 months’ drug rehabilitation, closing a chapter in a troubled saga that began when she was accused of trying to break into her ex-boyfriend’s home while high on cocaine.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg gave Love until October 29 to enrol in a drug counselling programme, which will require frequent drug testing. She will be permitted to travel, but will be barred from taking non-prescription drugs, drinking alcohol or being in places that serve alcohol.

“I have to stop drinking. That’s funny,” Love said outside court, lighting up a cigarette. “I think I can do it.”

The 40-year-old widow of Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain arrived at her sentencing 15 minutes late, dressed in a two-piece lavender suit and purple high heels. She sat down and immediately began reading the British music magazine NME.

Love appeared demure during the hearing, despite a history of being admonished by judges for courtroom outbursts. Several times she put her hands over her face and shook her head.

“Thank you,” she told the judge when it was over.

Love was arrested in October after she allegedly tried to break into the home of former manager and boyfriend Jim Barber. Authorities said cocaine and other opiates were found in her system.

A series of charges followed: possessing illegal painkillers, assault, reckless endangerment, attacking someone with a liquor bottle. Then there were escapades like strange courtroom statements, allowing herself to be photographed with her nipple in a stranger’s mouth and flashing her breasts on David Letterman’s TV show.

Assistant City Attorney Jerry Baik said yesterday’s sentence was negotiated under a plea deal with Love’s lawyers. She pleaded guilty on May 25 to a misdemeanour count of being under the influence of a controlled substance and agreed to enter a treatment programme.

An additional charge of being a disorderly drunk in public was dismissed at the prosecutor’s request.

Love still faces a felony case in Beverly Hills Superior Court for allegedly possessing illegal painkillers. She could face up to three years and eight months in prison if convicted of possessing hydrocodone and oxycodone.

Last month, Love appeared in court in New York City on charges of assault and reckless endangerment for allegedly striking a fan with a microphone stand at an East Village club in March.

She was scolded by the judge for arriving more than five hours late.

The most recent case involves an April 25 incident in which she allegedly attacked a 32-year-old woman with a bottle at Barber’s Los Angeles home. A bench warrant for her arrest was issued earlier this month after she failed to appear for a hearing.

At the time, her lawyer, Michael Rosenstein, said she had been taken to hospital in New York City for an unspecified gynaecological condition.

Love is the former lead singer of the band Hole. She and her new band, The Chelsea, were due to start a tour last month to support Love’s recent album “America’s Sweetheart.”

But Love delayed the tour amid her legal troubles. Whether yesterday’s sentence would even allow her to perform in typical rock venues, where alcohol is served, was unclear.