May 19, 2009 10:11

Police give away confiscated Babyshambles instruments

Ex-guitarist Pat Walden is giving workshop as part of deal

Photo Gallery: Babyshambles
Photo: Danny North

Musical equipment belonging to Babyshambles that was confiscated by police in August 2005 is to be donated to a new youth musical project, it has been announced.

Police seized two guitars, a bass guitar, three amplifiers, a drum kit, a speaker, a melodica and a harmonica from Pete Doherty's band after they were called to a gig at Islington's Duke Of Clarence pub in north London shortly after midnight on August 12, 2005.

Despite protestations from the band, the police confiscated the equipment because several residents had complained about the noise.

As part of the deal, which will see the instruments donated to the council's EC1 Music Project, former Babyshambles guitarist Patrick Walden has agreed to hold a workshop in return for his guitar.

Walden, who along with Carl Barat reunited onstage with Pete Doherty at Whitechapel's Rhythm Factory in east London early on Saturday morning, said he was "happy" to be taking part in the project, reports BBC News.

"It's a very positive environment and I'm looking forward to working with the young people," he said.

Pete Doherty's video for the Littl'ans' song 'Their Way' was filmed on the same night of the gig, and includes footage of the police dealing with the band. At the end of the promotional clip, it features a personal plea from the band to "please give us our stuff back".

Watch the video below.