(Cover) - EN Showbiz - George Michael could face up to three months in prison if he is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The 47-year-old singer was charged with possession of cannabis and being unfit to drive due to drink or drugs at a police station in Camden, London, yesterday morning and then freed on bail. He will appear in front of magistrates in Highbury on August 24.

The charges relate to his arrest on July 4 in the Hampstead area of London, following a car crash. At the time, he was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive.

At 3.35am on July 4 the 47-year-old lost control of his Range Rover and smashed it into a photo shop near his home. The crash buckled a door frame and shattered windows of the Snappy Snaps shop in the upmarket suburb.

CCTV footage showed a shocked George climbing out of the vehicle to wait for police. He was not breath-tested for alcohol but was given a drug test when he arrived at the police station.

The crash is the seventh time George has been investigated by police over his driving and police sources say he will probably serve time for the latest incident.

"I think he is highly likely to get a three-month prison sentence if he is convicted because of his history," former police commander John O'Connor told British newspaper The Sun.

If George escapes jail, legal sources say he is likely to face a road ban of up to five years, a heavy fine and community service.

The former WHAM! star was banned from driving for 24 months after he was found slumped at the wheel of his car in Cricklewood, North West London, in May 2007. He admitted he was under the influence of illicit substances.

Shortly after the ban was lifted, George was again held on suspicion of being unfit to drive after he collided with a truck late at night on a motorway in Berkshire, England. He was eventually released without charge. (C) Cover Media