Singer 'had cocktail of drugs' in his system

Singer George Michael, who has admitted driving while unfit, had a cocktail of drugs in his system including GHB and cannabis, a court heard today.

Singer George Michael, who has admitted driving while unfit, had a cocktail of drugs in his system including GHB and cannabis, a court heard today.

The 43-year-old singer was found slumped at the wheel of his Mercedes in Cricklewood, north London, on October 1 last year.

Prosecutor Andrew Torrington told Brent Magistrates Court in north London today that tests showed a therapeutic quantity of an anti-depressant in the singer’s system as well as the illegal dance club drug GHB – a class C substance.

Cannabis was also found in his blood, but the prosecution do not maintain that this was the cause of his intoxication.

Michael Grieve, representing Michael, who was not present at today’s hearing, said: “It is the defendant’s case that his condition was caused by taking prescribed drugs.”

He said there was a strong body of opinion which said that a sleeping drug was the most likely explanation for his condition.

He also told the court it was common ground that GHB could be present in the blood without any illegal substances having been taken.

Mr Torrington told the court that while GHB was a banned drug, its effects could be created by drugs which are not controlled, including a drug called GBL.

Mr Grieve agreed with District Judge Katherine Marshall that the level of the singer’s unfitness could be viewed as high.

He said there was no dispute as to the description of the singer’s condition as being semi-conscious at the wheel.

But in terms of considering sentence, he told the district judge: “One looks at the unfitness, not the cause of it. Whatever the level is, that’s all you need to look at.”

He later added: “We will not be contending on behalf of the defendant that the fact that his condition was due to the consumption of prescribed drugs combined with tiredness as opposed to any illegal drugs is a mitigating feature of the offence.

“Subject to that, we will be inviting the court to sentence him on the basis of plea ... after hearing full mitigation.”

District Judge Marshall adjourned sentence of the singer until June 8.

The case was previously adjourned to hear from expert witnesses.

But the judge said it was now unnecessary to hear from them to make a decision.

She said: “It is clear that it is not necessary for me to go any further in this expert evidence ... I will sentence on the basis that counsel has asked me to.”

Michael, from north London, was arrested after motorists reported a car obstructing the road at traffic lights.

The former Wham! star admitted driving while unfit at a court hearing on May 8, the first day of what was to have been his trial.

He claimed he was guilty due to “tiredness and prescribed drugs”.

He addressed District Judge Marshall directly on that day saying: “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.”

He added: “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 and I would have accepted it a long time ago.”

Since his court appearance, Michael has said he is addicted to prescription drugs and believes the world would be a better place if more people smoked marijuana.

He made the confession in an interview with Michael Parkinson, screened on ITV1 on May 19.

He attributed his erratic behaviour to an attention seeking and “self destructive” impulse brought on by the death of his mother a decade ago.

He is due to play the first concert at the new Wembley Stadium on June 9, the day after his next court date, as part of his current European tour.

In a statement released tonight, Michael said he was delighted the court had taken the “proper approach” to his case.

He said: “I have accepted throughout this affair that I was not in a fit state to have been driving a motor vehicle in the early hours of October 1 2006 and accordingly pleaded guilty to the charge of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs before Brent Magistrates’ Court on May 8 2007.

“I am delighted that at today’s hearing the court accepted that the proper approach to my case is that which I have always maintained, in that I was unfit through a combination of tiredness and prescribed drugs, and that I will be sentenced on this basis.

“I would like to conclude by saying I am really looking forward to playing Wembley Stadium on June 9 and 10 and all my other shows before and thereafter.”

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Smartwatch with health app. Glowing neon icon on brick wall background Health watch: How much health data is healthy? 
Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future
(C)2024 Disney. Disneyland Paris – Disneyland Hotel Re-Opening Watch: Iconic Disneyland Paris hotel re-opens after two year renovation
ieParenting Logo
Writers ieParenting

Our team of experts are on hand to offer advice and answer your questions here

Your digital cookbook

ieStyle Live 2021 Logo
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Lifestyle
Newsletter

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited