Pete Doherty Sentenced: fans gather outside court

Pete Doherty is currently waiting for his sentencing hearing at West London Magistrates Court to begin this morning (August 7).

The Babyshambles singer arrived half-an-hour early for the 10am appearance, and briefly waited outside the Hammersmith-based court to have cigarette despite the attention of the growing media pack of photographers, camera crews and reporters.

However, while he was outside he did sign a copy of ’The Blinding’ EP for fan Lee Rowden, who has turned up to support the singer.

“I met Pete and he was really nice,” the 15 year-old from Upminster told NME.COM. “I thought I might as well come down after reading about the hearing in NME. I think he might go down today, it’s all class As [drugs] and he’s got away so many times before.”

The fan added that Doherty’s mother was also feeling pessimistic about the singer’s chances.

“I met his mum and said good luck,” explained Rowden. “She thinks he’ll go down, and that’s his mum!”

Doherty is appearing at West London Magistrates Court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to possessing class A drugs on July 3.

The singer is also facing an additional charge of failing to appear in court without reasonable excuse after he turned up late to the initial hearing last month.

Doherty is now set to appear in Court 4 to learn his fate.

To find out what happens to the Babyshambles singer, plus all the reaction from inside and outside the court, keep your browser pointing at NME.COM all day.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Head to NME.COM’s messageboards now to join the debate.

See the NME blog for our exclusive behind-the-scenes report from the court-room.

Also click here to read Mark Beaumont's latest blog about today’s court room drama.

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