Boy George arraigned on drug charges in New York

By Jeanne King

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Singer Boy George was arraigned early on Saturday in Manhattan on drug possession charges after police arrested him when they found a small amount of cocaine at his apartment in Little Italy.

He was released on his own recognisance and ordered to return to Manhattan Criminal Court on December 19.

The singer, whose real name is George O'Dowd and who made his name with the 1980s pop band Culture Club, then walked out of the courtroom, sat on a bench and began crying like a baby.

In the court, which convened shortly after midnight, he appeared dazed and did not say anything.

Boy George called police early on Friday to report a burglary. But when police arrived a little after 3 a.m. local time the officers found the door open and were greeted by the singer who asked them, "What's up?"

Police spokesman Det. Eric Crisafi said Boy George then staggered about his 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 transferred to Manhattan Criminal Court for arraignment on drug possession charges as well as for falsely reporting a burglary.

It was unclear what prison term, if any, he faces since police said they had yet to determine with precision what quantity of drugs may have been in his apartment.

George's musical "Taboo" closed in New York last year after losing money. The musical 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?" The song topped hit parades in 18 countries and Culture Club went on to sell almost 20 million albums.

Known for his flowing locks and the lash of his sharp tongue, the boy doll with the asexual image was devoured by the tabloids who wrote often about his heroin-induced excesses to his pitiful withdrawal.

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 about how he had finally kicked his habit.

In recent years, George made a new career as a disc jockey and record producer.

Source: Reuters