British singer George Michael arrives for sentencing at Highbury magistrates court in London, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010. George Michael is facing a fine or jail time after he admitted driving while under the influence of drugs. The singer pleaded guilty last month to driving under the influence and possession of cannabis following an incident on July 4 when his Range Rover crashed into a photo shop in north London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The solo singer and former Wham! star got eight weeks in prison for crashing his car while under the influence of cannabis.
Truth be told, this was but the latest in a string of automotive and drug-related mishaps for the 47-year-old. He was arrested in July in north London after crashing his Range Rover into a Snappy Snaps store (where he was described by officers as “spaced out”). Last month, Michael was given a six-month interim driving ban after he plead guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and possessing cannabis. That was increased to a five year ban Tuesday.
It will be of some small comfort to the singer that, as he arrived at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in London Tuesday, fans screamed his name and even tried to break through police barriers. Reports say that the star gasped when the verdict was announced, despite having already been told that his offenses were “a serious matter.” Judge John Perkins told him that, “It does not appear that you took proper steps to deal with what is clearly an addiction to cannabis. That’s a mistake which puts you and, on this occasion, the public at risk.”