George Michael gets community service

By Paul Majendie

LONDON (Reuters) - George Michael was banned from driving for two years and sentenced to 100 hours of community service on Friday after admitting driving when unfit.

Police had found the 43-year-old slumped behind the wheel of his Mercedes at a road junction in London last October.

Michael, wearing a charcoal grey suit and black T-shirt for his sentencing, had told the court he felt "very ashamed."

But outside court he attacked media coverage of the case which he said had been "farcical."

It had concentrated almost entirely on the prosecution's allegations, he told a phalanx of reporters and fans outside Brent Magistrates' Court in North London.

"In reality I have been sentenced today on the basis of unfit driving through tiredness and prescription medicines which I fully accept responsibility for.

"I am glad to put this behind me and I am now off to do the biggest show of my life."

Michael is to play the first pop concerts at London's newly rebuilt Wembley stadium on Saturday and Sunday.