Pop star 'ashamed'

May 9 2007 By The Journal

Pop star George Michael pleaded guilty yesterday to driving while unfit through drugs and said he was "very ashamed".

The 43-year-old singer admitted the charge on the first day of his trial at Brent Magistrates' Court in north west London, claiming he was guilty due to "tiredness and prescribed drugs".

A further charge of being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. Michael was arrested in Cricklewood on October 1 last year after motorists reported a car obstructing the road at traffic lights.

Police found the singer slumped at the wheel of his Mercedes. The former Wham! star, dressed in blue jeans, a black jacket and a black shirt, took the unusual step of addressing District Judge Katherine Marshall directly in the court. He said: "I did something very stupid and I am very ashamed since doing it."

At a previous hearing, the judge ruled that his trial would start today, followed by hearings on May 30 and 31 and June 8.