Doherty held in drugs and car theft probe

LONDON - Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty has been arrested on suspicion of stealing a car and possessing illegal class A drugs, a police source said yesterday.

The 26-year-old rocker was stopped with two younger men in central Birmingham by police investigating reports of a car being stolen in London.

Doherty, a self-confessed drug abuser who had an on-off relationship with supermodel Kate Moss, was later released on police bail.

He escaped a jail sentence earlier this month over seven separate drug-related charges after pleading guilty to possessing the class A drugs heroin and cocaine.

He was told he faced a prison sentence if he failed to comply with a community service order which requires him to attend a drug rehabilitation centre.

He has to return to court on March 8 for a review of the order.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "Three men were arrested yesterday when a car was stopped in Colmore Row in Birmingham at approximately 9:15 p.m. last night."

"They were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, relating to a report of a car stolen in London. They were also arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs.

"One of the men is aged 26 and from London. The other two are aged 18 and 19, from Dundee.

"They have all been released on police bail pending further inquiries."

- REUTERS