Pete Doherty has appeared in court over those previously reported drug charges and pleaded guilty to seven counts of possessing controlled drugs. The singer, who is of course, already on probation and subject to a rehabilitation order, was accused of carrying 0.406gm of heroin, 0.776gm of crack cocaine, 0.332gm of cannabis resin and 5.94gm of cannabis when he was picked up on 18 Dec in Clapton, and 3.103gm of heroin, 3.664gm of crack cocaine and 2.503gm of cannabis when he was stopped in the same area on 14 Jan.
Doherty's lawyer, Sean Curran, explained what had happened at his client's most recent hearing in Ealing - where, of course, he was judged to be responding well to his programme of rehabilitation. With that in mind, Curran asked that the current case be adjourned for six months to "see how his progress is in relation to the order", adding "I would not like the court to impose anything that would go against the grain. He is a very talented man. Unfortunately, every move he makes has been in the spotlight".
The judge, Jane McIvor, said that she was not prepared to leave it that long, but agreed to adjourn the case for four weeks, until 20 Apr. However, she warned Doherty: "All options remain open as far as sentence is concerned, including committal to the crown court for sentence."
According to reports, Doherty then went outside and caused trouble. Clambering over a wall, he apparently kicked a Radio 1 reporter in the arm, knocking her microphone from her hand - whether it was deliberate or an accident isn't clear. He then ran off down the street pursued by reporters, before making his escape in his Jag at high speed.
Elsewhere in Doherty and drugs news, a Rolling Stone reporter has said that the Babyshambles frontman took shitloads of drugs whilst he interviewed him recently, though it's not clear just how recent the incident was. Mark Binelli says Doherty took heroin, crack cocaine and ecstasy during the course of a three hour conversation. The journalist claims: "He does all of this casually, and openly, except for the shooting up, which he performs near the kitchenette, with his back to us. He offers me heroin and ecstasy but not crack. I decline. The more drugs Doherty does, the more he seems to relax. He never becomes incoherent, though occasionally he seems confused."