(Cover) - EN Showbiz - George Michael has been sentenced to eight weeks in prison after pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

The singer arrived at London's Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court earlier this afternoon to hear his sentence. He was dressed in a grey suit, blue shirt and black tie, and took time to wave to the hordes of fan waiting for him. Onlookers were kept back by a barrier, after the star was swamped by a crowd when at court last month.

George had previously pleaded guilty to the charges, which relate to his arrest on July 4 in the Hampstead area of London following a car crash.

The star was sentenced to eight weeks in prison and handed a fine of $1,250. He is likely to serve at least four weeks inside, and seemed shocked when the term was read out.

Passing the sentence, the district judge said he accepted [George had] shown remorse and is ashamed of what happened. He added he had taken into account the steps the star has taken to sort out his problems, which include ongoing counselling.

George had previously admitted smoking cannabis before driving, saying he had also forgotten he had taken an anti-anxiety drug. The judge called the mixture dangerous and unpredictable.

At 3.35am on July 4 George, 47, 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.

George was not breathalysed, but was held on suspicion of being unfit to drive. He then underwent drug tests at a police station.

George 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 had taken illicit substances. He was also cautioned for possessing Class A and C drugs in 2008. (C) Cover Media