George Michael drugs charge

Pop star George Michael will face an extra charge at his drugs trial, a court heard.

The 43-year-old singer was arrested on October 1 last year on suspicion of being unfit to drive and for possession of a substance believed to be cannabis.

Michael, whose real name is George Panayiotou, was later cautioned by police for possession of cannabis.

He was charged, just before Christmas, with being unfit to drive through drugs.

At Wednesday's hearing at Brent Magistrates' Court, north west London, the charge was amended to driving while unfit through drugs.

Prosecutor Andrew Torrington also added the charge of being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs.

The former Wham! star did not attend the three-and-a-half-hour hearing before District Judge Katherine Marshall. He is currently out of the UK. Defence solicitor Keima Payton spoke on his behalf.

Michael was due to face trial on April 23 but a two-day preliminary hearing will now start on that date, when legal arguments will continue.

Michael is not expected to attend but witnesses will be called.

A new trial date has not yet been set. It is expected to last at least one day and will be arranged for May or June.document.write(unescape("