Wham! star jailed over drug-driving

George Michael faces the paparazzi as he arrives at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in north London
12 April 2012

Pop star George Michael is starting an eight-week prison sentence after crashing his Range Rover while high on cannabis.

The 47-year-old, whose real name is Georgios Panayiotou, was found slumped at the wheel of his car after it ploughed into a branch of Snappy Snaps in north London in July.

Michael, who has a previous conviction for the same offence, was told by District Judge John Perkins there was no option but jail.

The former Wham! star admitted driving while unfit through drugs and possessing two cannabis cigarettes when he appeared at London's Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court last month.

Police who banged on the window found him "spaced out" and with no memory of what had happened.

Blood tests showed he had chemicals linked to cannabis in his system.

The singer sighed heavily as District Judge Perkins said he would serve four weeks in prison and spend the remainder on licence.

Michael was also banned from driving for five years and ordered to pay a £1,250 fine, £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

One fan sobbed in the public gallery as he was taken down from the dock by security guards.

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