Boy George Appears In Court

NEW YORK - Singer Boy George appeared dazed when he faced court in Manhattan on cocaine possession charges yesterday.
The singer, whose real name is George O'Dowd and who made his name with the 1980s pop band Culture Club, was released and ordered to return to Manhattan Criminal Court on December 19. He then walked out of the court, sat on a bench and began crying.
The court was told Boy George called police early on Friday to report a burglary. But when they arrived a little after 3am they found the door open and were greeted by the singer who asked them, "What's up?"
Police spokesman Detective Eric Crisafi said Boy George then staggered around the apartment, apparently in "a drugged stupor", and police found a small amount of cocaine next to his computer.
The singer was arrested and held at a New York police station before being taken to court to face drug possession charges as well as for falsely reporting a burglary.
It was unclear what prison term, if any, he faces because police have not yet determined the quantity of drugs.
The singer's musical, Taboo, closed in New York last year after losing money. It was an autobiographical look at a time when flamboyant cross-dressers reigned in London clubs and Culture Club topped pop charts around the world.
The son of an Irish builder, George rose from supermarket shelf-stocker to glitzy pop millionaire. He became an international star in 1982 with Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?
In 1995, Boy George recounted his drug-induced fall from grace in his autobiography, Take It Like A Man, writing about his convictions and relapses and how he had finally kicked his habit. In recent years, he has made a career as a disc jockey and record producer.
from The Age