George Michael may go to jail over drug-driving

Published on Tuesday 24 August 2010 17:46

SINGER George Michael was yesterday warned he faced jail after he admitted crashing his Range Rover while under the influence of cannabis.

• George Michael leaves Highbury Corner Magistarates' Court in north London, after he appeared charged with driving under the influence of drugs. The singer crashed his Range Rover into a shop, inset left, last month Picture: PA

The 47-year-old, whose real name is Georgios Panayiotou, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court after his arrest last month.

He pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs and possessing two cannabis cigarettes when he was held in Hampstead, London, in the early hours of 4 July.

The court heard the Wham! star was found slumped at the wheel of his car after a resident dialled 999 to report a vehicle had ploughed into a shop.

Police found him "spaced out" and with no memory of what had happened. Michael was found carrying two cannabis cigarettes and blood tests revealed he had chemicals linked to the drug in his system.

District Judge Robin McPhee banned Michael from driving and said he could be jailed when he returns to the court next month to be sentenced. He added: "It is a serious matter. Your driving was extremely poor."