Doherty's ascent to rock infamy

Pete Doherty has admitted to having a drug problem

Singer Pete Doherty, who is facing sentencing after admitting possessing drugs, has had a chequered and controversial spell in the media spotlight.

The 26-year-old started making headlines in 2002 when his then band, The Libertines, emerged to almost instant acclaim.

But very soon it was Doherty alone who was making the headlines.

Both he and songwriting partner Carl Barat had admitted to drug problems - with Doherty living with an addiction to both heroin and crack cocaine.

Their stormy relationship came to a head in 2003 when Doherty broke into Barat's flat and stole some of his belongings, for which he served two months in prison.

'Cool icon'

He later admitted in court to possessing a flick-knife, and received a four-month suspended prison sentence.

But as far as his bandmates were concerned, it was a step too far, and he was kicked out and told to clean up.

In November 2003, a drugs charity accused music magazine NME of behaving irresponsibly by naming Doherty as its Cool Icon of 2004.

Drugs charity Addaction feared this would influence readers, saying: "Young people are vulnerable to hard drugs."

He has enjoyed considerable chart success

But the magazine's assistant editor Malik Meer said it was the 25-year-old's talent which earned him the title.

That talent was transferred to Doherty's new band, Babyshambles, after his departure from The Libertines.

Like his former band, Babyshambles also concentrated on using the internet to keep in touch with its fanbase and scored hit singles and a debut album in 2005.

But Doherty was beset with problems which threatened to undermine the success of his new group.

He was arrested on suspicion of assault and theft in February after a complaint from documentary maker Max Carlish, and spent four days in custody after a delay in securing bail money.

'Shambolic'

The singer was released under curfew, the terms of which were changed to allow him to play London's Brixton Academy with Babyshambles.

He had an on-stage fight with the band's guitarist, but was warmly received by some 5,000 fans.

In the summer, a support slot with Oasis was cancelled after Doherty got stuck in France - but this was just the beginning of a series of woes, starting with a performance at Live 8 which was branded "dazed" and "shambolic".

Doherty's relationship with Kate Moss made the headlines

In October, a Babyshambles concert in Shropshire was cut short when drugs squad officers arrested Doherty, putting future live dates in jeopardy.

While the Shropshire charges were eventually dropped, Doherty faced drugs charges after being arrested in London last November and December, admitting his guilt last month.

He was arrested once again in east London on 16 January, and on three occasions on 26 January, which led to him being remanded in custody.

Doherty's liaison with model Kate Moss fuelled rife tabloid coverage, with drugs often at the centre of speculation.

The singer said that he would "love her forever", claiming that his own drug use and failure to see through a rehabilitation programme had caused a rift between them.

Moss had her own demons to fight in September last year, when The Daily Mirror printed pictures allegedly showing her taking drugs at Babyshambles' recording studio.

She left the UK to seek treatment, while the same newspaper later claimed that Moss had severed ties with the singer for good.