Doherty arrives late for court

Updated 16.07 Tue Jul 03 2007
Keywords: Pete Doherty

Singer Pete Doherty has pleaded guilty to possessing drugs after arriving late at court just as a warrant was issued for his arrest.

District Judge Davinder Lachhar issued the warrant at West London Magistrates' Court when Doherty was almost two and a half hours late for his court appearance.

District Judge Davinder Lachhar issued the warrant at West London Magistrates' Court when Doherty was almost two and a half hours late for his court appearance

Judge Lachhar said: "This is a court of law. He should have been here at 9.30 and he isn't. I am giving a warrant with no bail."

Moments later, Doherty appeared at the courthouse, where was due to face charges including possession of a Class A drug.

There were chaotic scenes outside court when Doherty eventually arrived, with his car at first pulling in and then driving off before it eventually dropped the singer off.

The musician was stopped in a car on Kensington High Street in central London in May.

The 28-year-old has appeared in court on a number of drug offences over the past nine months.

Doherty was praised in April by a judge for "more than co-operating" in his struggle to beat his addiction to illegal substances.

Controversy has surrounded Doherty for several years since he first found success with his band The Libertines. More recently his relationship with Kate Moss has attracted tabloid attention.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.