George Michael was sentenced to 8 weeks in prison
George Michael was sentenced Tuesday to eight weeks in prison, after, in August, he pleaded guilty to charges of possession of cannabis and driving the vehicle under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
In late August, George Michael was hospitalized in a clinic, for 14 days, for treatment of drug addiction, after he smashed his car into a photo shop in London, in June, while under the influence of cannabis.
The British singer, 47, whose driving licence was canceled in 2007 for two years, was questioned in early July, after losing control of the car he drove and damaged the front of Snappy Snapp photo shop in Hampstead, a neighborhood in northern British city, near his residence. Michael was subsequently placed under parole.
In August, during a short hearing in London’s Highury Corner Court, the artist, whose real name is Georgios Panagiotou, spoke only to confirm his identity and to plead guilty on both counts.
Judge Robin McPhee decided then as punishment, a temporary suspension for six months of artist’s license, pending a final decision, which was handed down Tuesday.
The magistrate then said that all “options remain open, including jail.” This is the seventh time George Michael, who has publicly admitted he’s a constant consumer of cannabis, is being investigated by British police for causing a traffic accident.
In 2009, the British star was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs after his Land Rover car collided with a truck on the A34 motorway, in Berkshire County.
In June 2007, George Michael had his driving license revoked for two years after he admitted during trial, that he drove under the influence of drugs. He was questioned at the time for damage three parked cars, and for flee from the scene.
George Michael was arrested twice for possession of cannabis. Moreover, in recent years, the singer was arrested several times for having been caught asleep at the wheel due to drugs or alcohol.
Snappy Snaps shop is close to Hampstead Heath – a gay bar where George Michael was caught having sex, three years ago – but also to his residence in Highgate neighborhood.
George Michael was also arrested in April 1998, for indecent acts in a public toilet in Los Angeles. After the incident, Michael ended years of speculation about his sexual orientation, announcing publicly that he is gay. Following the “event” Michael wrote a song “Outside”, whose lyrics and video were inspired by the toilet incident.
In 2006, George Michael, who has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, with hits like “Careless Whisper” and “Faith”, has angered representatives of health charities in the UK after giving a television interview during which he was smoking cannabis and said: “This thing helps me stay healthy and happy”.
Image source: vancouversun.com
