26/06/2006

Boy George back in court

Former pop star Boy George has appeared before Manhattan Criminal Court to hear what community service he must perform after he pleaded guilty to wasting police time.

The former Culture Club singer - real name George O'Dowd - who now works as a club DJ, escaped a possible prison sentence after admitting wasting police time by falsely claiming that his home had been burgled in March 2005.

A small amount of cocaine had been found in his New York apartment, but a possession charge against him was later dropped.

The 45-year-old was sentenced to five days of community service and fined $1,000. He was also ordered to attend a drug rehabilitation programme.

At Monday's hearing, Judge Anthony Ferrara warned the star that he would be jailed unless he completed the community service before the end of August.

However he did not reveal the form of his punishment.

At a hearing earlier this month, Judge Ferrara criticised the singer for failing to pay the fine and also for failing to report to the office that would decide how he should spend his community service.

The judge also ridiculed the star's proposals that he would help to stage a fashion and make-up workshop for an HIV/Aids charity as part of his community service.

(KMcA/CD)

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