The singer Pete Doherty today narrowly escaped jail when a judge decided to defer sentencing him for drugs offences on the condition that he goes into rehab to tackle his addiction.
Doherty speaks to reporters outside court today
District Judge Davinder Lachhar left the Babyshambles frontman in no doubt he would go into custody if he failed to take up a place he has been offered on a detox programme before his sentencing on August 7th.
He was told: "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."
Asked outside court if he would comply with the judge's conditions, Doherty said: "I have got no choice, have I ... It's rehab or jail. I was going to rehab anyway to be honest with you — this is just a little push".
Doherty pleaded guilty to possessing Class A and Class C drugs after arriving at court more than two hours late.
The 28-year-old entered the pleas after chaotic scenes at West London Magistrates Court, where a warrant had to be issued for his arrest because he was so late for the hearing.
Moments after District Judge Davinder Lachhar issued the warrant, the singer arrived looking slightly dishevelled in his trademark trilby hat, a dark suit and open necked black shirt.
He went on to plead guilty to possessing quantities of crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis and ketamine as well as to two driving offences.