Singer Pete Doherty sentencing postponed

LONDON - Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty skirted a jail sentence Monday when a judge ordered him to continue rehabilitation and complimented one of his songs.

The 27-year-old singer, smartly dressed in a black suit, white shirt and blue, gray and black stripped tie, appeared for sentencing on five counts of possessing heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and cannibis.

Fans overflowed out of the public gallery at Thames Magistrates Court, and were reprimanded by the judge for being noisy.

The singer from east London, was arrested in April possessing less than two grams each of heroin, cannibis and cocaine just three hours after he was sentenced to two years of community service for previous drug offenses. The drugs were found in the vehicle he was in and at his east London home.

Doherty was arrested again on Aug. 7 with a crack pipe and small amount of crack cocaine, and pleaded guilty on Aug. 18 to all five counts.

District Judge Jane McIvor deferred sentencing until Dec. 4, and told Doherty he would not go to jail if he adheres to his rehabilitation program, continues to be employed and commits no other offenses.

"At this stage it would be counterproductive and simply take you away from society for a matter of weeks and would undo the hard work that a lot of professionals have put in," McIvor said.

McIvor noted that Doherty had tested negative for heroin in two tests last month and also passed a check for cocaine.

She told Doherty his song "The Blinding" is a "good tune."

"I obviously want my life back really," Doherty told reporters after his court appearance.

Before being whisked away by security, he said he had "mixed feelings" about the judge's decision because he "wants to be trusted" and the Priory clinic where he has been in rehabilitation is too expensive.

The singer gained fame with his previous band, the Libertines, and as the on-off boyfriend of supermodel Kate Moss.

He made his first public appearance since starting rehabilitation last month performing at a London concert called "Get Loaded in the Park" on Aug. 27.

Tom Woolridge, 17, a fan outside the court, said the sentence was fair, and that Doherty's music is better when he's "clean for a change."

Doherty's drug habit gained international attention after a British tabloid printed pictures of Moss allegedly using cocaine at a music studio where Doherty and his band were recording. Moss was not charged.

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