The British rocker appeared at Thames Magistrates court as he faced charges of possession of crack cocaine.
Police found a video of Pete and two of his friends smoking the drug while they investigated the death of heiress Robyn Whitehead, who had filmed the video.
Outside the court, Robyn's sister Sian approached Pete and said: 'I'm Robyn's sister.'
According to UK newspaper Daily Mirror, he then took her hand and kissed her cheek and said: 'I am really sorry about what happened to your sister.'
Doherty indicated he would deny possession of crack cocaine and he and his two friends were released on unconditional bail and a committal hearing will take place on January 14.