Babyshambles guitarist pleads guilty

MICK WHITNALL has pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine.

The 40-year-old Babyshambles lead guitarist appeared at Greenwich Magistrate Courts where he admitted two counts of possessing a Class A drug.

The court heard that Whitnall earns £10,000 a month from the band, and has two previous drug convictions and five similar cautions.

Magistrate David Smith told him he would not get away with a fine for his persistent drugs offences and said: "His last conviction was five weeks prior to his arrest.
"We think it's time that this got properly looked into - we are not going to deal with this by way of a fine.
"Any drug course should be alongside a community order so we are looking for a community penalty."

Whitnall's sentence was adjourned for reports to be prepared.

Accompanied to the court by an unnamed glamorous younger woman, refused to comment after the hearing.

The lead guitarist and joint songwriter in Peter Doherty's band, was arrested in a bar on October 12 after a woman called the police over his "bizarre" behaviour

Officers went to Cafe Rouge in Blackheath, south London, and found drugged up Whitnall in a locked toilet cubicle holding a white block of crack in his hand - but he still refused to admit having the drug.

He was arrested and taken to a local police station, and while officers were taking his picture he confessed 'it's only a bit of cocaine'.
He also tested positive for the drug.

Police then raided the guitarist's home in nearby Lewisham and discovered another crack cocaine stash.