Doherty attacked in Marlborough pub

Doherty, 26, was having a pint in the Sun Inn accompanied by his cat Dinger when a man went up to him and punched him in the face knocking him to the ground.

The Babyshambles front man has been living in the Marlborough area for several months.

Initially he rented a cottage in Hyde lane but a month ago he moved to live at Durley in Savernake Forest in a house where supermodel Jodie Kidd once lived.

Doherty initially came to Wiltshire for treatment for his drug addiction at the Clouds House rehab centre near Warminster.

He settled in Marlborough and has become a common sight in the town drinking at the Sun Inn or at the Three Horseshoes at Burbage.

He was in the back bar at the Sun on Sunday December 2 when, according to witnesses, a man who formerly lived in Marlborough and is now living in Devizes went up to him and punched him.

Police have confirmed that they received a complaint from the pub licensee Jacqueline Thacker that Doherty was the victim of an assault.

Officers confirmed they were investigating the incident and said they had not received any complaint from Doherty himself.

Although Doherty was allegedly knocked to the floor it is understood he received only minor facial injuries.

Police have not, however, confirmed they are investigating a suggestion that a well-known local drug dealer attacked Doherty.

One report suggested that the dealer went up to Doherty and said: "Don't f*** with me. When you get your gear, you get it here."

A spokesman for the pub said: "He had been enjoying a quiet pint on his own, just him and his cat, and went out to make a phone call.

"Pete has never seen this bloke before, he just attacked him for no reason."

Other customers called the police but Doherty left before they arrived.

A spokesman for Doherty's recording company Parlophone Records confirmed the singer had been attacked but denied any argument over drugs had taken place.

He said Doherty did not know the man and that the assault was unprovoked.