Judge 'optimistic' about Doherty's drug progress

The 27-year-old Babyshambles front man attended a review of a drug treatment order before District Judge Jane McIvor at Thames Magistrates' Court in east London.

The judge told the singer that she was even more optimistic than she had been at his previous review in October and, as a result, his case need not be reviewed as frequently.

"I would like to think it's more optimistic than the last review in October," the district judge said.

She told Doherty, who appeared at his latest court appearance wearing a dark suit and carrying his trademark trilby hat, that his doctor had referred to the "great effort" he was making to beat his addiction.

"But it's a long process and there is another nine months to go," she said.

"This is more optimistic but we cannot take the pressure off. It takes day-to-day effort."

Defence counsel Bruce Clark agreed that Doherty's progress was "encouraging".

"Most people would have failed by now," he told the judge.

The judge ordered Doherty to return to court for another review on April 18.

As he left the court following the five-minute hearing, the star said it had not been easy trying to give up drugs.
"It's like she said, really it's just time. For the first time I am actually turning up for appointments in a coherent state. For them, it's a big step.

"It's just a really positive time for me at the moment," he said.

Doherty refused to comment on reports that he and supermodel girlfriend Kate Moss are due to get married tomorrow.
Moss and Doherty's rocky on-off relationship has been well-documented since they met at her 31st birthday party at her home in Primrose Hill, north London, in January 2005.

Speculation over their wedding has been rife since the couple revealed their engagement in October, but rumours reached fever pitch this month when it was reported they had "wed" on a Thai beach - claims denied by her spokesman.