Michael Barrymore Admits To Cocaine Possession
Veteran entertainer Michael Barrymore has pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine; this is the latest development following his unfortunate arrest at the scene of a car crash Nov. of this year.
Additional charge of being drunk and disorderly was removed from his official charges. He was fined £680 added to £100 in costs.
The 59-year-old was apprehended alongside another as yet unidentified man at 4.30am on Nov. 22 after a Citroen DS3 crashed into a curb in Acton, West London.
Officers on a habitual patrol came across the crash scene at a junction. At the time of the crime, the police were uncertain about who had been behind the wheel. In court, Barrymore closely observed proceedings as prosecutor Sally Peters told of his activities and general manner on the day of his arrest.
Police spoke to him after their attention was drawn to a damaged vehicle parked on the side of the road, Peters recounted. When asked who was in fact driving the car, the actor declined to answer after which he launched into a livid tirade directed to the officers.
After the arrest, Barrymore was seen attempting to conceal a white substance in his mouth; furthermore, a small white rock was discovered in his trouser pocket and Barrymore tested positive for cocaine at a police station.
Barrymore's lawyer, Richard Gowthorpe, said he only had a minute amount of the drug and apologized to police for his client's behavior.
Mr. Gowthorpe told the court Barrymore is no longer exploiting and using drugs and had sought professional help after the episode and as such is making very good progress.
"He's undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy. It's something Mr. Parker has found very helpful and is willing to engage further in that process. I would say Mr. Parker is doing everything he can do address the issues," drug worker Andrew De Cruz said. Barrymore was also said to be receiving treatment for alcoholism.