George Michael had taken mix of drugs when arrested
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 | 2:45 PM ET
CBC Arts
Pop star George Michael had a mix of drugs in his system when he was arrested in his car last year, a London court heard Wednesday.
Blood tests revealed the 43-year-old singer had taken prescription antidepressants and showed traces of gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, a drug that leaves users groggy and disoriented.
There was also marijuana in his system, prosecutor Andrew Torrington said in his presentation at Brent Magistrates' Court in London.
Michael, who has pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of drugs, was arrested in his car Oct. 2, 2006, after police found him slumped over the wheel.
His lawyer Michael Grieve argued that prescription sleeping pills were the likely cause of his inebriation.
Michael, whose real name is George Panayiotou, wasn't in court Wednesday, but said in a recent TV interview that he is addicted to prescription drugs.
District Judge Katherine Marshall said she was not concerned about the drugs involved, but took a dim view of the condition Michael was in when he was discovered in his car.
In an earlier court appearance, Michael told the judge he was prepared to accept the consequences of his actions in October.
"I really have been very distressed by this whole thing. I am perfectly aware that I did something very wrong and got into my car when I was unfit to drive," Michael said.
She is scheduled to pronounce a sentence for the former pop star on June 8.
