Doherty escapes jail

By Andrew Hough

LONDON (Reuters) - Pete Doherty escaped jail on Friday despite admitting a string of drug and driving offences.

The 28-year-old musician was handed a four-month jail term, suspended for two years, at West London Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to driving illegally while in possession of crack cocaine, heroin, ketamine and cannabis.

He was also told he would be subject to an 18-month supervision order and a 12-month compulsory drug rehabilitation order, which would involve twice-weekly drug tests.

Doherty was disqualified from driving for six months, fined 400 pounds for driving with no insurance and 75 pounds for having no MOT, and ordered to pay 100 pounds-worth of prosecution costs.

It was the latest reprieve for the Babyshambles frontman, who has been dogged this year by his failures to comply with court orders.

On Wednesday a court cancelled the last six months of a compulsory supervision order designed to help him kick drugs, after hearing he was making good progress.

On Friday, District Judge Davinder Lachhar told the court she was suspending the sentence for the same reason.

"I think you have made strides and I hope you will continue to do so," she said. "I would hate to see you going backwards."