George Michael was found slumped at the wheel of his car after taking a cocktail of drugs, a court heard yesterday.

Tests showed that the singer had traces of antidepressants, cannabis and the drug GHB in his bloodstream.

He was arrested after other motorists telephoned police because his Mercedes was obstructing the road at traffic lights in Cricklewood, northwest London, in October.

Michael, 43, has admitted driving while unfit. He did not attend yesterday’s hearing at Brent Magistrates’ Court in northwest London.

Andrew Torrington, for the prosecution, said that Michael had a therapeutic quantity of an antidepressant in his system. Although tests showed he had taken cannabis, the prosecution does not allege that this was the cause of his intoxication. Mr Torrington said the prosecution accepted that legal drugs could produce effects similar to those caused by GHB, a “designer drug”.

Michael Grieve, representing Michael, said: “It is the defendant’s case that his condition was caused by taking prescribed drugs.” He told the court that the defence agreed that GHB could be present in the blood without any illegal substances having been taken.

Mr Grieve did not dispute that the singer was semiconscious at the wheel. He said: “We will not be contending that the fact that his condition was due to the consumption of prescribed drugs, combined with tiredness as opposed to any illegal drugs, is a mitigating feature of the offence.”

District Judge Katherine Marshall deferred sentencing until June 8.

Michael admitted driving while unfit at a court hearing earlier this month, claiming his condition was due to “tiredness and prescribed drugs”. Since then he has admitted that he is addicted to prescription drugs.

Michael is due to play the first concert at Wembley Stadium the day after his next court appearance.

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