Police have been investigating claims troubled rock star Pete Doherty attacked a woman photographer - just 24 hours after he walked free from court on a legal technicality.
Doherty, 28, is alleged to have been involved in a scuffle with Cath Mead after posing for photographers outside a friend's home in Crewkerne, Somerset.
Miss Mead, 22, claims she was left with bruises and clumps of hair were 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 singer.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: "We did receive an allegation of common assault following an incident in Crewkerne yesterday.
"A woman in her 20s has claimed she was assaulted by a man in the George Shopping centre at 3pm.
"She wasn't seriously injured but it's believed damage was caused to the victim's camera. The incident is being investigated."
Doherty had escaped to the West Country after his latest brush with the law. He was charged with breaching bail earlier this week, but the case against him was dropped after police failed to produce him before the courts within the 24 hour deadline.
The cock-up prompted a review by Metropolitan Police of their procedures. The bail breach allegation came less than two weeks after a judge told Doherty he must kick his drugs habit or go to jail.
The singer previously admitted driving illegally while in possession of crack, heroin, ketamine and cannabis in High Street, Kensington, west London. He is due to be sentenced next month.
