Doherty walks free on technicality

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Doherty, 28, was due to appear before West London magistrates after he was arrested in Tower Hamlets, east London.

The charge of breaching conditional bail was dropped on a technicality as he was not produced before the court within 24 hours, prosecutor Anjulika Vatish said.

Doherty left the court building wearing his trademark black trilby.

He gestured at the waiting photographers and then jumped into a green Jaguar and was whisked away.

Both the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and a court official said the reason Doherty had not appeared in court within 24 hours was a matter for the police.

A spokesman for the CPS said: "Breach of bail has to be decided upon within 24 hours.

"If it is done after that period the complaint has to be withdrawn."

He said police were dealing with the matter of Doherty's suspected possession of drugs at the time of his arrest and added that no evidence had been presented so far.

A court official said he did not know why Doherty had failed to appear within the 24-hour timeframe. He said: "As far as this court is concerned the matter is over."