Rocker Pete Doherty Avoids Prison Sentence for “Accidental” Heroin Possession

Troubled rocker Pete Doherty (former lead singer of the Libertines) narrowly escaped a prison sentence when he was caught “accidentally” carrying 4g of heroin into the Gloucester Magistrates’ Court. He was caught with the drugs just moments after being fined for careless driving. After the 30-year-old pled guilty to possession, he was given a £750 fine and £85 costs.

The Daily Mail reports that Doherty claimed he had simply forgotten the drugs were in his pocket, because he hadn’t worn the coat for some time.

“Either this was sheer stupidity or a ploy to get more publicity,” said Judge Joti Boparai, who also declined to use the “public purse” to pay for his drug rehabilitation after hearing he was already paying for private treatment and is currently using anti-heroin implants.

Doherty was arrested in the corridor of Gloucester Crown Court on December 21 after he had been handed a £2,050 fine with £145 costs for dangerous driving and driving under the influence, stemming from a June arrest.

Explaining why he was carrying the drugs into court, his lawyer Bruce Clark said: “He has a large number of suits and indicated that he had previously found lumps the size of his fist in his pockets, and had forgotten these items were there.”

“He is a recovering heroin addict and has received some very sophisticated medical treatment. He had been an addict for some years and is a very well known, famous musician with a huge international reputation,” he continued.

“He has a great many items of clothing—suits and clothes going into the hundreds. There were residual drugs which he had left in one coat pocket. He didn’t necessarily choose the coat for himself.”

After Clark said Doherty’s rehabilitation treatment was going well, the judge replied: “He does look better in physical appearance. Last time I saw him he was sweating quite profusely.”

Accepting Doherty’s excuse for the drug possession, Judge Boparai said: “I’m assured that this was simply stupidity on your part and that you didn’t check your clothing and not anything more than that, and that you weren’t mickey taking. I’ve also heard you are receiving treatment for your drug addiction. Because you are paying for your own treatment I don’t feel it would be appropriate to take money from the public purse.”