Charities attack leniency of George Michael's drug caution

Last updated at 13:49 02 October 2006

A leading motoring charity today slammed George Michael following a police caution for drug offences after he was caught passed out in his car.

They called the pop star's behaviour "appalling" and said he should be banned from the road following a fourth motoring incident this year.

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Michael, 43, was taken to hospital when he was found slumped at the wheel of his car by police. He was cautioned for possession of cannabis while in his vehicle.

The former Wham! frontman was arrested after worried motorists dialled 999 to report his car was causing an obstruction at traffic lights in Cricklewood, less than a mile from Hampstead Heath, in the early hours yesterday.

After being treated at the nearby Royal Free Hospital, he was taken into custody under his real name Georgios Kyriakos Panayiotou.

He was cautioned for possessing a controlled substance and arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive. He was released on police bail yesterday.

Michael is due to return to Colindale police station on 20 November to find out whether he faces charges.

This is the fourth time he has been involved in a motoring incident which many believe is linked to his frequent heavy use of cannabis.

On the previous occasions he has escaped charges, and a spokesperson for motoring charity Brake suggested he had not been dealt with harshly enough in the past.

She said: "It is really appalling that he has been cautioned for his behaviour behind the wheel.

"We should make an example of George Michael because it is sending out the message that you can repeatedly get behind the wheel of a car in a completely unfit state and even when you are caught by the police you just get a caution.

"If you continue to do this you could be involved in a crash where you can seriously injure or kill someone. It seems absurd that should be given a caution every time.

"He should be banned from driving because he hasn't heeded the previous times he has been cautioned. His behaviour is very serious and could be to the detriment of others."

The arrest raised fresh fears over the health of the singer, who has just started his first world tour for 15 years.

Following his second arrest, friend Elton John said Michael was a troubled figure. He was being looked after by his long-term partner Kenny Goss.

The couple denied they were forced to call off their "wedding" after Michael was caught cruising for sex with strangers on Hampstead Heath in June.

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