Singer Doherty released from jail

Doherty said prison life involved 'a lot of gangsters'

Singer Pete Doherty has been released from prison after serving 29 days of a 14-week sentence stemming from drug and driving offences.

The Babyshambles frontman had been in Wormwood Scrubs prison in west London.

In October, he got a suspended sentence for driving while uninsured and with no MoT while in possession of crack cocaine, heroin, ketamine and cannabis.

Doherty, 29, was then sent to jail in April after missing appointments with his probation officers.

His supervision order required him to make regular visits to court for progress reports, as well as take part in a drug rehabilitation programme.

Drug test

They do their best - they are good, they can't really cater for the average junkie Pete Doherty Newsbeat: Doherty and the law

He showed the media a certificate confirming he had passed a drugs test while serving his sentence.

When asked if he had taken drugs in jail, he replied: "Well, I knew it was going to be a bit rough to start with, with the overcrowding and the medical facilities.

"Although they do their best - they are good, they can't really cater for the average junkie."

The musician also described life in prison as "a lot of gangsters and Radio 4".

Music magazine NME's assistant news editor Jamie Fullerton told BBC 6 Music he gave Pete Doherty a lift in his car after he was released.

He said: "His lift wasn't there - so he asked if he could have a lift with anyone - and I've interviewed Pete a couple of times at gigs."

Doherty told Fullerton that he had a lot of attention in jail from prisoners and guards and denied taking drugs while inside.

He said: "Newspapers were reporting that he'd been taking heroin and that's not the case. The medical reports have proved that."

New material

Doherty also told the reporter he was planning on writing new material with his band Babyshambles and planned to play live as soon as possible.

Fullerton added: "I wouldn't be surprised if you see something happening in some kind of pub or establishment in the next week or so.

"I think he was saying that he wants to write some new songs."

After he was jailed, Doherty was forced to postpone a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, which would have been his biggest solo show yet.

The show is due to be rescheduled and all tickets will be valid for the new date.

The singer would have missed his scheduled appearance at the Glastonbury Festival had he served the full sentence.

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