Late-for-court Doherty admits drugs possession

Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty today pleaded guilty to possessing Class A and Class C drugs after arriving at court more than two hours late.

Doherty, 28, entered the pleas after chaotic scenes at West London Magistrates Court, where a warrant had to be issued for his arrest because he was so late for the hearing.

Moments after District Judge Davinder Lachhar issued the warrant, the singer arrived looking slightly dishevelled in his trademark trilby hat, a dark suit and open necked black shirt.

He went on to plead guilty to possessing quantities of crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis and ketamine as well as to two driving offences.

Doherty also pleaded guilty to an extra charge of failing to appear in court this morning without reasonable excuse, relating to his arrival at midday today instead of 9.30am.

The 28-year-old’s singer’s lawyer, Sean Curran, was summoned to court twice to explain his client’s whereabouts and was initially given more time to locate him.

But as it neared midday, Miss Lachhar’s patience ran out and she told Mr Curran: “This is a court of law. He should have been here at 9.30 and he wasn’t so I am issuing a warrant with no bail.”

Doherty finally arrived moments later and faced a barrage of photographers as he meandered his way to the court entrance after a car dropped him off.

He was heard mumbling to waiting journalists that he was “a bit nervous” about the hearing – and then spent several minutes in an interview room with lawyers and police.

In court, he struggled to give his new address and eventually did so through his lawyer before pleading guilty to the six charges.