Babyshambles lead singer Pete Doherty, who had an on-off relationship with supermodel Kate Moss, appeared at a London court on Wednesday on charges of cocaine and heroin possession.
The 26-year-old rocker briefly tried to cover his face as he got out of a car at Ealing Magistrates court, where he was greeted by dozens of photographers and reporters and a small number of fans.
Wearing a cream-coloured sweater and dark waistcoat, the self-confessed drug abuser later waved at them as he went in. Doherty, who shot to fame as lead singer of The Libertines, was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs in November last year.
He has been in the headlines after Moss was filmed apparently snorting cocaine, prompting several fashion labels to sever ties with the 31-year-old.
Images of the incident appeared in the Daily Mirror tabloid last September, since when Moss has spent time at a US drug rehabilitation centre.
Police have urged Moss to return to Britain to answer questions related to the cocaine scandal, and expect to make arrests soon of other suspects in the case.
Media reports say Doherty and Moss have split up.