Pete Doherty fined on drugs charges

Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty was fined Sterling Pound 770 ($1,523) for possession of drugs, including crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis Monday.

The rock frontman, 27, was also disqualified from driving for four months at a sentencing at Thames Magistrates' Court in east London, the UK's Press Association reported. Doherty is the on-off boyfriend of supermodel Kate Moss.

He had previously pleaded guilty to counts of possessing heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and to two counts of possessing cannabis in April and August this year.

Sentencing him, District Judge Jane McIvor told Doherty that the offences were not serious enough to require a custodial sentence.

The judge told the singer the punishment was about "hitting your pockets" as she handed down Sterling Pound 200 ($395) fines for each possession of class A substances and Sterling Pound 50 ($98) fines for each of the cannabis offences, plus costs.

Doherty, who has been in rehab to battle his drug addiction, pleaded guilty to possession of 0.05oz (1.4 grams) of cannabis, 0.06oz (1.82g) of cocaine, 0.05oz (1.37g) of heroin, 0.03oz (0.9g) of cannabis and a quantity of crack cocaine.

Some of the offences relate to an incident in which Doherty was arrested in April just hours after being given a community supervision order.

Defending, lawyer Sean Curran said the possession offences were "small amounts and it is because he has an entrenched drug problem." Sentencing had been deferred from September when the judge said she was "impressed" with Doherty's attempts to come off drugs, and also with one of his songs, PA said.

Curran told the court the singer's continued employment was "going particularly well," with an EP called The Blinding released Monday and a tour schedule beginning in Newcastle.

"This aspect of his life is going particularly well and he's on the verge of signing a substantial record deal," he told the court.

Curran said Doherty was "still making an effort" with drug rehab and, although there had been "a breakdown" in that process, he hoped it could be rectified.

Sentencing the rocker, the judge said: "I take into account your guilty pleas you initially entered and your compliance has been acceptable with the community penalties still outstanding." She added: "I can't say it's so serious that custody can be justified." Leaving the court, Doherty told PA: "Yes, I'm relieved" before being escorted by police to a waiting car.

-BBC