Pete DohertyPete Doherty has been given a year’s community order for his recent drugs possession convictions - but could face jail if he offends again. He’s also has to take part in a rehab program to get over his addiction.

He admitted he was guilty of seven charges of possessing illegal substances at three separate court appearances last month but friends and colleagues didn’t know how the court would react.

“We did not speculate [on the outcome]. We were very nervous about what the sentence would be but it’s a result,” band-mate Drew McConnell admitted. “We can’t wait to see Pete and make plans for the rest of the year.”

Fellow band member Adam Ficek has also welcomed the sentence: “We are thrilled for [Pete] and for the band and we can go forward now.”

The band has pledged to help Doherty battle against his addiction because they believe Pete just feels swamped by fame: “He still finds it hard to accept that he has that talent sometimes,” said McConnell with Ficek adding, “he is very talented in a musical sense and with the written word. The general public are yet to recognise that.”