"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 (1.4 grams) 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.
Some of the offences relate to an incident in which Doherty was arrested in
April just hours after being given a community supervision order.
Defending, Sean Curran said the possession offences were "small amounts and
it is because he has an entrenched drug problem".
Mr Curran said that in an incident last month in which Doherty was arrested
for drugs possession, he had been driving the car with other occupants and no
drugs had been found on the rock star himself.
As the singer was always getting arrested when he was driving, he urged the
judge to suspend Doherty's licence."
"Sentencing had been deferred from September when the judge said she was
"impressed" with Doherty's attempts to come off drugs, and also with one of
his songs.
Today, Mr Curran said the singer's continued employment was "going
particularly well", with an EP called The Blinding released today and a tour
schedule beginning in Newcastle.
"This aspect of his life is going particularly well and he's on the verge of
signing a substantial record deal," he told the court.
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."
Doherty Walks Free
Hybrid Mode
