Doherty lashes out 

Police investigate singer over row with snapper

23 Aug 2007 - Police are investigating claims Pete Doherty attacked a woman photographer - just 24 hours after he walked free from court.

Doherty allegedly got into a scuffle with Cath Mead after posing  outside a friend's home in Crewkerne in Somerset yesterday. 

Mead says she was left with bruises and clumps of hair missing after she was assaulted by Doherty.

The Babyshambles singer allegedly chased the young photographer into a shop in the high street after she took a picture of his model girlfriend Irina Lazareanu.

Miss Mead made a complaint to police and wants to press charges against the the singer.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said:

"We did receive an allegation of common assault following an incident in Crewkerne yesterday.  She wasn't seriously injured but it's believed damage was caused to the victim's camera. The incident is being investigated."

They also said it could be a number of days before Doherty was questioned. "Our inquiries are ongoing and could take several days."

Doherty had escaped to the West Country after his latest brush with the law when he  was charged with breaching bail earlier this week. However the case against him was dropped on Tuesday after police failed to produce him before the courts within the 24 hour deadline.

Jo Youle