George Michael Go-Going to Jail for Pot-Powered Driving

Troubled pop star sentenced to two months behind bars in Britain following his guilty plea for DUI

By Josh Grossberg Sep 14, 2010 3:15 PMTags
George MichaelDanny Martindale/WireImage

It's safe to say George Michael wasn't praying for time. But he got it anyway.

A London judge today sentenced the "Faith" singer to two months in prison stemming from his July bust for driving while under the influence of marijuana.

Michael (real name Georgios Panayiotou) got all dressed up for his command performance at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court to learn his fate, a month after pleading guilty to cannabis possession and driving under the influence of drugs.

He did not speak to reporters on the way in but appeared to be in a good mood.

No word when he'll start his stint in the slammer, but according to the BBC, he'll likely serve four weeks behind bars with the rest as probation.

The 47-year-old British hitmaker got into this mess when was discovered by police slumped at the wheel of his Range Rover shortly after it smashed into a Snappy Snaps shop in northern London in the early morning hours of July 4. His SUV engine was still running, his pupils were dilated and he was sweating profusely, leading the ever-so-keen officers to suspect something was amiss. They hauled him to a nearby station for questioning, where they discovered two joints in his possession.

After admitting guilt, the popster was subsequently banned from driving while awaiting today's sentencing. But  because of similar offenses in the past, the judge was not so lenient this time around. That's because the crooner was caught doing nearly the same thing a year earlier.

In August 2009, a dazed-looking Michael crashed his car into a seven-ton truck, leading to his arrest but no charges. Two years before that, the former Wham! frontman was found passed out in his car with pot in his possession and eventually pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs, resulting in a two-year driving ban and community service.

After his latest car trouble, Michaels apologized again to his fans and said he was taking steps to deal with his substance abuse, checking into a rehab clinic and undergoing regular drug counseling.

Good luck, George. We hope this time it sticks.

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George Michael would probably feel right at home in our Hollywood Up In Smoke gallery.