Pete Doherty has been fined £750 for assaulting a BBC reporter, as previously reported, back in March. He has also been ordered to pay £250 compensation plus £200 in court costs. The singer, appearing at Thames Magistrates' Court, pleaded guilty to kicking a microphone out of Trudi Barber's hand when he appeared outside, er, Thames Magistrates' Court, following a court appearance there earlier this year.
Doherty originally entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of assaulting Barber, a reporter for Radio 1's Newsbeat, but according to his lawyer, Sean Curran, changed his stance after he watched television footage of the incident. In a statement, the Babyshambles star said: "If I hurt this lady I'm sorry," but was also heard to refer to her as one of the "harassing scum of press".
Magistrate Helen Skinner said: "Referring to the press as scum does no one any favours. You were obviously courting publicity judging by your somewhat extravagant behaviour outside the court. People in public life have a responsibility to behave and be a good role model to others."
Doherty told the court he couldn't pay his fine, as he only had 27p on him. He has been ordered to make the payment within a week.