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.

Questionable Web Site Photos

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.

She left the U.K. to seek treatment, and the same newspaper later claimed that Moss had severed ties with the singer for good.

Doherty has said that he would "love her forever," claiming that his own drug use and failure to see through a rehabilitation program had caused a rift between them.

Drugs Derailing Promising Career

Doherty's antics have endeared him to his legion of young fans but have outraged many others, who view his reckless behavior as sending a wrong message.

In 2004, a drug-abuse charity accused the music magazine NME of behaving irresponsibly when it named Doherty as its Cool Icon of 2004.

The charity, called Addaction, feared the award would influence readers, saying: "Young people are vulnerable to hard drugs."

Many critics agree that Doherty is a talented songwriter -- some say his work with Babyshambles the Libertines is the most exciting music to hit Britain in the last five years.

But his weakness for drugs could very well derail a promising career. He's been known to overdose on hard drugs before and after concerts and has often becoming embroiled in brawls on- and offstage.

In October, a Babyshambles concert in England was cut short when drug squad officers arrested Doherty, putting future live dates in jeopardy.

While charges were eventually dropped, Doherty again faced drug charges after being arrested in London last November and December, which he pleaded guilty to last month.

For all his run-ins with the law, Doherty has so far evaded a jail term. He has been let off with warnings and trips to drug rehab.

Some say the authorities are influenced by his celebrity profile, but Doherty's supporters say his admission of a drug habit has made him a target for the authorities.

But his drug habit and erratic behavior have become increasingly out of control, and in recent months, some members of the British tabloid press and the public have argued that he should serve a custodial sentence to get him back on track.

Members of his family are reported to have expressed the same opinion -- that only a custodial sentence can prevent Doherty from ending up a complete wreck.