Pete Doherty Cops to Paparazzo Bustup, Gets Fined

Thu., Jul. 24, 2008 12:52 PM PDT by

Pete Doherty Press Association via AP Images

The third time was apparently the charm for Pete Doherty. At least in terms of punctuality.

After missing his two previous hearings on the matter, the Babyshambles frontman finally appeared in British court today to cop to roughing up a paparazzo.

Officially, Doherty pleaded guilty to a charge of causing criminal damage stemming from an encounter last summer.

The Yeovil Magistrates Court accepted Doherty's plea, with the magistrate ruling that there was a "degree of provocation" in the incident before fining the rocker roughly $2,000.

"Yeah, it was OK today. It should have been sorted out ages ago, to be honest," Doherty said outside the court. "It's been hanging over me a long time."

Since last Aug. 22, to be exact. It was then that Doherty, accompanied by family while on a day's release from one of his many stays in rehab, took offense at being followed around town by paparazzo Catherine Mead.

Proving again that Doherty and candid cameras don't mix, the volatile rocker took refuge in a store and, when Mead pursued, he grabbed her camera and smashed the lens. He was eventually arrested in December.

Doherty was ordered to pay Mead roughly $1,800 for the damaged equipment. The remaining $200 fine went toward court fees.

He was originally expected to enter his plea last Friday, but did not show at the courthouse. An arrest warrant was briefly issued but ultimately withdrawn after only a few hours after he pinky swore to appear in court today.

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