Doherty escapes drugs jail term
A warrant was issued for Doherty's arrest because he was late
The singer Pete Doherty has escaped jail after a judge decided to defer sentencing him for drugs offences on condition he goes into rehab.
Doherty earlier pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine and heroin at West London Magistrates' Court.
He was warned by Judge Davinder Lachhar that he would go into custody if he failed to take up a place he was offered on a detox programme.
Doherty, 28, pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing illegal drugs.
As well as crack cocaine and heroin, he also pleaded guilty to possessing quantities of cannabis and ketamine as well as to two driving offences.
Last chance
Earlier, a warrant was issued for his arrest because he was more than two hours late for his hearing.
But the singer finally arrived and waded through a crowd of photographers into the court house.
At court the judge told him: "If you go to this place to have detox and take advantage of it then we will see what sentence is appropriate when you next come." "But if you do not I can tell you now that you will go into custody."