LONDON, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A British magistrate told ex-Libertines frontman Pete Doherty he could go to jail if convicted of possessing a knife, Sky News reported Tuesday.
The 25-year-old rocker was in court for allegedly possessing an offensive weapon, a charge stemming from a June 18 incident when police found a 4-inch flick knife in Doherty's jeans pocket.
Doherty, who was thrown out of the Libertines for widely publicized drug use, previously said he wanted a jury trial on the weapons charge, but then pleaded guilty.
The knife allegedly was a gift for a friend legally purchased by the singer while on holiday, said Frank Brazell, Doherty's attorney.
"He is not someone with a history of violence. Those who know him well say he is quite the opposite, a peaceful man who pretty much abhors violence," Brazell said.
The magistrates ordered Doherty, who was jailed last year for burglary, to return to court Sept. 1 for sentencing.
"This court is not prepared to tie the hands of the next bench. All sentencing options are to be considered. Custody cannot be ruled out," the magistrate said.
"If the law was to send me to prison it wouldn't be able to look itself in the eye," Doherty said.
