By KATIE FRETLAND, Associated Press Writer 
Mon Sep 4, 2007

LONDON - Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty skirted a jail sentence Monday when a judge ordered him to continue rehabilitation and complimented one of his songs. 

The 27-year-old singer, smartly dressed in a black suit, white shirt and blue, gray and black stripped tie, appeared for sentencing on five counts of possessing heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and cannibis.

Fans overflowed out of the public gallery at Thames Magistrates Court, and were reprimanded by the judge for being noisy.

The singer from east London, was arrested in April possessing less than two grams each of heroin, cannibis and cocaine just three hours after he was sentenced to two years of community service for previous drug offenses. The drugs were found in the vehicle he was in and at his east London home.

Doherty was arrested again on Aug. 7 with a crack pipe and small amount of crack cocaine, and pleaded guilty on Aug. 18 to all five counts.

District Judge Jane McIvor deferred sentencing until Dec. 4, and told Doherty he would not go to jail if he adheres to his rehabilitation program, continues to be employed and commits no other offenses.

"At this stage it would be counterproductive and simply take you away from society for a matter of weeks and would undo the hard work that a lot of professionals have put in," McIvor said.

McIvor noted that Doherty had tested negative for heroin in two tests last month and also passed a check for cocaine.

She told Doherty his song "The Blinding" is a "good tune."

"I obviously want my life back really," Doherty told reporters after his court appearance.

Before being whisked away by security, he said he had "mixed feelings" about the judge's decision because he "wants to be trusted" and the Priory clinic where he has been in rehabilitation is too expensive.

The singer gained fame with his previous band, the Libertines, and as the on-off boyfriend of supermodel Kate Moss.

He made his first public appearance since starting rehabilitation last month performing at a London concert called "Get Loaded in the Park" on Aug. 27.

Tom Woolridge, 17, a fan outside the court, said the sentence was fair, and that Doherty's music is better when he's "clean for a change."

Doherty's drug habit gained international attention after a British tabloid printed pictures of Moss allegedly using cocaine at a music studio where Doherty and his band were recording. Moss was not charged.

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Pete Doherty - Rocker caught on video injecting heroin

Pete Doherty caught it the act

[ Open Letter to Pete Doherty ]

Pete Doherty - Rocker caught on video injecting heroin

06 Nov 2007

THE Sun today calls for junkie rocker Pete Doherty to be jailed — as we publish shocking footage of him once again injecting heroin. 

Just hours after claiming to be drugs free at an awards bash, he was proving that he is as far as ever from kicking his deadly addiction. 

After watching our video, Pete's spokesman told us: "He's been a very foolish boy."

And now, after countless ineffective slaps on the wrist for drugs offences, we say that the time has come to lock him up for his own good. 

The grim video — shot on a mobile phone and lasting 1min 14secs — shows Doherty crouched on the floor, holding a needle in his mouth. 

He stares into the camera, “cooks up” the heroin on a spoon, and fills the syringe. 

His head slumps forward as he injects it into his tattooed right arm.

The Sun is well aware of the sickening nature of the images — and prints them only to show Doherty is not cured and is a terrible role model. 

They were taken at the Babyshambles star’s home in Wiltshire on Friday — hours after the MTV European Music Awards in Germany. 

In the footage, he is wearing the green wristband from the previous night’s ceremony — and is still in the same clothes he returned home in.

Just hours before the bash, 28-year-old Doherty — who recently completed six weeks in rehab — had joked to a TV reporter that he was “missing” hard drugs.

A source close to him said: “It’s not the first time he’s injected since he was supposed to have gone clean. 

“He may have got clean through rehab, but as soon as the temptation is put in front of him, he cannot help himself. It’s so sad to see. He’s been given so many chances and so many fresh starts and he just throws them all away. 

“It’s not fair on those who have tried to help. It makes a mockery of the legal system. 

“Anyone else would have been sent to jail by now.” 

Doherty has been warned numerous times that he faces jail if he does not kick his drug habit. 

In 2003 he admitted a five-year crack and heroin addiction as he was jailed for burglary. The ex Libertines singer promised to quit drugs in 2005 after getting together with supermodel Kate Moss. 

But months later he was back on the drugs after Kate was pictured taking cocaine. 

And in April 2006 shocking pictures emerged of Doherty injecting a girl slumped on a floor. The teen later claimed he had been taking blood to use in a painting. Since then he has been on a merry-go-round of court appearances followed by rehab.

Just weeks ago — on October 24 — he was released from a drug treatment order by Thames Magistrates’ Court after testing negative for crack cocaine and heroin. 

Earlier he had told reporters outside: “I’ve had enough. It’s just the beginning. My life has changed.” 

Two days later he was let off jail at West London Magistrates’ Court, after admitting crack and heroin charges.

He was given a four-month suspended sentence and a 12-month drug rehab order. 

With ironic timing, Doherty talks about “being clean” in tomorrow’s issue of music mag NME. 

He said: “It’s hard work. I think I miss it a bit. It’s sad, but I’m in mourning for an armful.” 

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Pete Doherty - I feel only shame

Pete Doherty

[ Open Letter to Pete Doherty ]

Pete Doherty - I feel only shame

Nov. 7, 2007

PETE DOHERTY has apologized to his fans and doctors – after admitting to injecting heroin when he was claiming to be drug free. 

Yesterday The Sun showed shocking footage of Pete taking the killer drug at his home last Friday, after arriving back from the MTV Awards. 

At first his fans didn't want to believe the video was recent, claiming on Internet message boards that his weight, hair and tattoos were wrong. 

But Pete has admitted it WAS him and it WAS filmed on Friday. 

He said: “It was a stupid, stupid action for which I feel only shame.” 

After showing the grim 1min 14secs video, we called for the junkie rocker to be jailed. 

Aware of sickening nature of the footage, we ran it to prove once and for all that Doherty is not cured and is a terrible role model. 

And today his spokesman told us: “Peter Doherty would like to apologize to the medical staff, fans and well-wishers who have helped and encouraged his progress in fighting his addiction to heroin. 

“His ongoing rehabilitation was a source of such pride to him that Peter and those closest to him thought that he was close to winning his personal battle with the drug."

[ Open Letter to Pete Doherty ]

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Pete Doherty - Jailed for 14 Weeks

Pete Doherty

Pete Doherty - Jailed for 14 Weeks

04/08/08

LONDON (AP) — Rock musician Pete Doherty has been sentenced to 14 weeks in jail for violating a probation order.

His record company says the sentence handed down Tuesday by a London court meant the Babyshambles' frontman's planned concert at the Royal Albert Hall on April 26 would be postponed.

Parlophone Records did not say how Doherty broke his probation. But music magazine NME cited a court spokesman as saying Doherty had used different kinds of drugs, breached "time keeping," and generally not complied with his probation.

Doherty's drug use has frequently landed him in court. Last year he pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine, heroin, ketamine and cannabis and a variety of driving offenses. 

[ Open Letter to Pete Doherty ]

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