| Pop star
George Michael has pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while
unfit through drugs, blaming "tiredness and prescribed
drugs" for the offence.
The singer, 43, had been
ordered to stand trial, but admitted the offence at Brent
Magistrates' Court in London.
The Crown Prosecution
Service dropped a further charge of being in charge of a vehicle
while unfit through drugs.
He was arrested in
October after police dealt with a car which was obstructing
traffic lights in Cricklewood, London.
The former Wham! singer,
who wore blue jeans, a black shirt and a black jacket, sat in
the wrong seat in the courtroom before District Judge Katherine
Marshall told him to take his place in the dock.
Speaking directly to her,
he said: "I did something very stupid and I am very ashamed
since doing it.
"I'm not used to
defending myself in a position where I am ashamed of something.
"I really have been
very distressed by this whole thing.
"I am perfectly
aware that I did something very wrong and got into my car when I
was unfit to drive.
"I was not in my
normal physical state and I'm perfectly prepared to accept the
correct punishment for that."
Sentencing for the singer
was adjourned until 30 May to enable further blood tests to be
carried out, although it is not clear whether he will attend on
that occasion.
He is due to play the
first concert at London's new Wembley Stadium on 9 June as part
of his European tour. |
