Music

George Michael sentenced to eight weeks in jail

by Ciaran Thompson

Pop singer George Michael has been sentenced to eight weeks in jail and fined £1,250 at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court in London for driving under the influence of cannabis and crashing his car.

The singer, whose real name is Georgios Panayiotou, was arrested in July when police found him slumped at the wheel of his Range Rover after it crashed into a photographic store called Snappy Shots in North London. He was taken to Hampstead police station and was found to be carrying two cannabis cigarettes.

Previously Michael was convicted of driving while under the influence of drugs in October 2006 and has been outspoken about his struggle with cannabis. He is likely to serve only four weeks in jail with the remainder of time to be spent under the supervision of a probation officer.

According to the singer’s legal representatives, Michael was trying to kick the habit and had even started writing new material. He will not be allowed to drive for the next five years. [BBC]