You think Lindsay Lohan’s rap sheet is bad? Try Pete Doherty’s. On Tuesday, The Libertines frontman was arrested for the 21st time — this time it was in connection with the drug death of filmmaker and heiress Robin Whitehead, reports The Huffington Post. Now, I know Doherty had his fair share of arrests. Hell, these days, he’s more known for his criminal history than his stellar discography. But 21 times? How does this not deserve its own feature?
Of course, little did I know that compiling Doherty’s arrestography would prove to be the most draining undertaking I’ve done in some time, requiring me to scour through all the UK papers and even official court records. But in the end, I think I came pretty close to compiling a pretty accurate list of his 21 arrests and their respective sentences. Mind you, it gets pretty confusing when you’re dealing with three separate arrests in a 24 hour span. And he’s never spent more than 14 weeks in prison?
Crime: Doherty was arrested after breaking into the flat of Libertine bandmate Carl Barat and stealing an antique guitar, video recorder, laptop computer, mouth organ, and CD player. Doherty’s lawyer argued the singer’s actions were an “impulsive act” carried out in a “highly emotional and drug-addled state.”
Punishment: Six months in prison, though it was ultimately reduced down to two months.
February 3, 2005: Robbery and blackmail
Crime: Doherty and friend Alan Wass were arrested for robbery and blackmail after attacking documentary filmaker Max Carlish, who was making a rockumentary about the singer and sold photos of Doherty smoking heroin to tabloids. Doherty reportedly demanded money for the photos and when Carlish refused, a brawl then ensued. Carlish was hospitalized with facial injuries (two black eyes and a broken nose).
Punishment: Doherty was held in prison immediately following the arrest, but the case was ultimately dropped due to a lack of evidence.
October 2, 2005: Drug possession
Crime: Doherty was arrested in Shrewsbury after police raided the singer’s tour bus and discovered a Class A drug.
Sentence: Police ultimately drop the charges. Dohery entered a drug rehabilitation center on November 24th, but leaves just six days later after splitting with longtime girlfriend Kate Moss.
November 30, 2005: Drug possession
Crime: One day after leaving rehab, Doherty was stopped after driving in “an erratic manner” in London. The singer was then arrested after police discovered him in possession of drugs.
Sentence: After arriving to court nearly an hour late, Doherty pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and cocaine. However, he evaded any prison time.
December 8, 2005: Driving under the influence
Image via Splash News
Crime: Doherty was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
Sentence: The charges were ultimately dropped.
December 18, 2005: Driving under the influence
Image via DailyFill.com
Crime: Doherty was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs in East London. Doherty and three passengers fled, and a search of Doherty’s car rendered substances believed to be heroin and crack cocaine.
Sentence: Doherty appeared in court on February 8th, but again avoided any prison time. Instead, he was given a community order for 12 months, requiring him to attend a drug rehabilitation center and undergo monthly check-ups.
January 14, 2006: Driving under the influence
Crime: Doherty was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and possession of Class A narcotics, heroin, and cocaine.
Sentence: Doherty pleaded guilty to seven separate charges on April 20th. He was given a community order for two months, requiring him to attend 18 months in drug rehabilitation. He was also banned from driving for six months.
January 26, 2006: Possession of drugs x2
Crime: Doherty was arrested twice, once at 5:40am for suspicion of possession of class A drugs after driving erratically in London, and for the second time (after being released from custody for the previous offense) at 3:00pm for being under the influence of class A drugs, where he was searched and re-arrested, also in London
Sentence: Doherty pleaded guilty to seven separate charges on April 20th. He was given a community order for two months, requiring him to attend 18 months in drug rehabilitation. He was also banned from driving for six months.
January 27, 2006: Car theft
Crime: For his third arrest in 24 hours, Doherty was arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of stealing a car and possession of drugs.
Sentence: Doherty pleaded guilty to seven separate charges on April 20th. He was given a community order for two months, requiring him to attend 18 months in drug rehabilitation. He was also banned from driving for six months.
March 23, 2006: Assault
Crime: Doherty assaulted BBC Radio Newsbeat reporter Trudi Barber following a court appearance.
Sentence: Doherty was found guilt and fined £750.
April 20, 2006: Drug possession
Crime: Hours after being sentenced for his January 14th arrest, Doherty was arrested in east London on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.
Sentence: Doherty pleaded guilty to the charges. He was fined £770.
August 17, 2006: Drug possession
Crime: Doherty was arrested after being found with a pipe and small amount of crack cocaine
Sentence: The charges were ultimately dropped.
November 19, 2006: Drug possession
Crime: Doherty was arrested on suspicion of possessing crack cocaine.
Sentence: Doherty was fined £770 and banned from driving for four months.
February 5, 2007: Driving without insurance
Image via JustJared.com
Crime: Doherty was arrested for failing to produce driving documents and driving with no insurance.
Sentence: Doherty received a two month ban from driving and a £300 fine.
May 5, 2007: Drug possession
Crime: Doherty was arrested in London for possession of crack, heroin, cannabis, and ketamine and driving without insurance.
Sentence: Doherty pleaded guilty to all charges. He was ordered to rehab by the judge, and ultimately received a two year suspended jail term. He was also given an 18-month supervision order and a 12-month drug rehabilitation order. However, after violating probation in April 2008, Doherty was sent to prison for 14 weeks in jail.
August 20, 2007: Drug possession
Crime: Hours following his performance at the V Festival, Doherty was arrested in London for drug possession.
Sentence: The charges were dropped after the prosecution admitted that they had no jurisdiction over him because he had not been produced in court within 24 hours of his arrest.
December 3, 2007: Assault
Crime: Doherty was arrested for attacking photographer Cath Mead after she took pictures of him and former girlfriend Irina Lazareanu.
Sentence: Doherty pleaded guilty and was fined $2,000 in damages.
June 11, 2009: Driving under the influence
Crime: Doherty was arrested in Gloucester and charged with driving dangerously, while drunk, and being in possession of heroin.
Sentence: Doherty pleaded guilty of all charges. He was spared jail but was ordered to pay £2,050 in fines, and was banned from driving for 18 months.
December 21, 2009: Drug possession
Crime: While Doherty was in Gloucester court for the aforementioned charges, heroin fell out of his coat pocket. He was arrested for possession.
Sentence: Doherty was convicted and was fined £750 and ordered to pay £85 court costs. He was spared jail time.
March 19, 2010: Drug possession
Crime: Doherty was charged with cocaine possession following an inquiry into the January 24th death of filmmaker Robyn Whitehead. Whitehead, a filmmaker who was making a documentary about Doherty, died of a drug overdose at a flat in Hackney.
Sentence: Doherty is currently free on bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 18th.
