Troubled rocker Pete Doherty has pleaded guilty to assaulting a reporter outside a courtroom in London after he saw footage of the incident on TV.
He initially had a plea of not guilty, but could not argue with video footage taken outside the Thames Magistrate's Court of him kicking a microphone out of BBC journalist Trudi Barber's hand.In court he apologized if he hurt Barber, but added that she was part of the "harassing scum of the press."
Doherty's lawyer Sean Curran told the court, "He certainly had no malice towards the victim, what he did was reckless and very unfortunately she received injuries."
Despite the incident clearly being a moment where Doherty snapped under pressure, Justice Helen Skinner handed over a £750 fine and said in court "People in public life have a responsibility to behave and be a good role model to others. Referring to the press as scum does no one any favors. You were obviously courting publicity judging by your somewhat extravagant behaviour outside the court."
