WILTSHIRE-based rock star Pete Doherty has failed to appear in court to face a charge of possessing cocaine.

His barrister, Peter Ratliff, said the singer believed he did not need to attend the committal hearing on Friday after letters were exchanged with the court.

District Judge Comyns said the Babyshambles frontman would not face any punishment for his non-appearance.

The 31-year-old, who lives near Marlborough, was charged with possessing cocaine after police investigated the suspected overdose death of heiress Robin Whitehead.

Doherty, who has battled with drugs, said he was “shocked and saddened” by her death on January 24 last year.

The 27-year-old film-maker spent the last 10 days of her life making a documentary entitled The Road To Albion, focused on Doherty’s former band, The Libertines.

Doherty is now due to appear at London’s Thames Magistrates’ Court, charged alongside two friends for a second committal hearing on February 2.

All three men are expected to deny the charges.