Judge allows Doherty to skip court for concert

British rocker Pete Doherty was allowed to miss a court hearing on Wednesday to play a gig because the judge is a fan of his music.

The Babyshambles frontman was due to appear at London's Thames Magistrates court for a progress review following a drugs rehabilitation order but Judge Jane McIvor adjourned the hearing until Wednesday to allow him to attend a concert in Paris.

Judge McIvor presided over several of Doherty's court appearances last year and once praised Doherty's song The Blinding, telling the court: "It is a good tune."

The 28-year-old singer has just completed a six week stint in rehab, and will now appear in court twice next week.