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George Michael arrives to court to hear sentencing over driving under the influence of drugs

posted 14 Sept 2010, 06:53 by Sam Mbale   [ updated 14 Sept 2010, 07:50 ]

15:30hrs UPDATE: George Michael has been sent to jail for eight weeks, he is likely to serve only four weeks of the sentence in prison.

Singer George Michael appears in court in London to hear sentencing over drug-driving charges.

LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (SEPTEMBER 14, 2010)  ITN - 
Singer George Michael faced a jail sentence on Tuesday (September 14) after admitting to driving under the influence of cannabis in July.


The singer, whose real name is Georgios Panayiotou, previously appeared in court in August and admitted to the charge.

Police patrol found Michael slumped at the wheel of his Range Rover car in the early hours of July 4 after smashing into the facade of a photographic shop in Hampstead, north London.

Police suspected Michael had taken drugs as he appeared "spaced out," was sweating profusely and had dilated pupils.

The star was arrested and taken to Hampstead police station where he was found to be carrying cannabis cigarettes. A blood sample was taken and chemicals linked to cannabis were found in his system. He had not been drinking alcohol.

The incident was the latest in a string of arrests.

Michael, who became famous as part of the band Wham! before launching a successful solo career, was banned from driving for two years in 2007 and sentenced to 100 hours of community service after admitting driving when unfit due to drugs.

In 2008, Michael apologized to fans after being arrested and cautioned by police for possession of drugs and promised then to "sort himself out."

The singer was also famously fined in California over "engaging in a lewd act" in 1998 in a California public toilet.

Grammy award winner Michael has sold an estimated 100 million albums as a solo artist, winning a global fan base with hits like "Careless Whisper" and "Faith."


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