Rock star Doherty fined for possession of drugs

TROUBLED rock star Pete Doherty was yesterday fined £770 for possession of drugs, including crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis.

The Babyshambles frontman, 27, was also disqualified from driving for four months at a sentencing at Thames Magistrates’ Court in east London.

He had previously pleaded guilty to counts of possessing heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and to two counts of possessing cannabis in April and August this year.

District Judge Jane McIvor told Doherty the offences were not serious enough to require a custodial sentence.

The judge told the singer the punishment was about “hitting your pockets” as she handed down £200 fines for each possession of class A substances and £50 fines for each of the cannabis offences, plus costs.

Doherty, who has been in rehab to battle his drug addiction, pleaded guilty to possession of 0.05oz (1.4g) of cannabis, 0.06oz (1.82g) of cocaine, 0.05oz (1.37g) of heroin, 0.03oz (0.9g) of cannabis and a quantity of crack cocaine.

Defending, Sean Curran said the possession offences were “small amounts and it is because he has an entrenched drug problem”.

Mr Curran said the singer’s continued employment was “going particularly well”, with an EP called The Blinding released yesterday and a tour schedule beginning in Newcastle.

Mr Curran said Doherty was “still making an effort” with drug rehab and, although there had been “a breakdown” in that process, he hoped it could be rectified.

Sentencing the rocker, the judge said: “I take into account your guilty pleas you initially entered and your compliance has been acceptable with the community penalties still outstanding.”

She added: “I can’t say it’s so serious that custody can be justified.”

Leaving the court, Doherty said: “Yes, I’m relieved,” at the outcome of the hearing, before being escorted by police to a waiting car.