Britons Fascinated by Troubled Rocker Pete Doherty

May 6, 2006 — -- The name Pete Doherty may not ring a bell in the United States, but across the ocean in England, Doherty is Britain's most famous junkie. The rocker turned tabloid favorite is rarely off the front pages -- often getting ink for nothing else but court appearances.

Once regarded as the creative force behind the rock band the Libertines, the 27-year-old singer shot to fame in recent years as the junkie on-again/off-again boyfriend of supermodel Kate Moss.

But lately, he's never far from trouble -- since the beginning of 2006, reports say he had been confronted by police or arrested at least 10 times.

The latest controversy surrounding the Babyshambles frontman is just one of several that could see him jailed if convicted. Doherty was recently released on bail after police questioned him about pictures which allegedly show him injecting a hypodermic needle into the arm of an apparently unconscious woman lying on the kitchen floor of his London apartment. No charges have been filed yet.

"It's a staged shot and what a (expletive) liberty to suggest I'd bang up a sleeping lass," Doherty posted on his Web site.

The rocker is already on probation after pleading guilty to drug possession last month.

Carl Barat, a former bandmate of Doherty's, expressed his shock over the photo of the singer and the student. He told London's Sun newspaper, "It's a bad situation; it's a lot to take in. It's a sad situation."

Interestingly, the troubled singer grew up in a stable environment and his behavior has surprised many people, including close relations. He had a good academic record at school but dropped out in his first year at university.

Doherty was thrust into the spotlight because of his relationship with model Kate Moss. Reports say the two met at Moss' 31st birthday party.

Moss had her own problems with drugs. In September of last year, London's Daily Mirror printed pictures allegedly showing her taking drugs at the Babyshambles recording studio.