Adam Ant was committed to a psychiatric hospital on Monday in the wake of his January 12th arrest in London on charges of firearm possession and assault. Ant, a.k.a. Stuart Leslie Goddard, may be held for observation for up to twenty-eight days under the U.K.'s Mental Health Act, which would postpone a court appearance that was initially set for this Friday until it is decided whether or not he is fit to stand trial.

Ant was arrested at the Prince of Wales pub in north London, but claims that he was carrying a replica, rather than a real gun. According to the singer's official Web site, Ant's family asked that he be admitted to a hospital for care, as he has previously admitted to being manic depressive. "Adam is not suicidal, however, family and friends are concerned that Adam is not receiving the care that he requires and they do not wish to see him become a potential threat to himself," reads a statement. According to an interview with The Mirror Ant also admitted to falling off the wagon on his forty-seventh birthday last November, after twenty-three years without drinking.

According to the U.K. tabloid, The Sun, Ant called the paper this week and claimed to have been the victim of police brutality, as well as a conspiracy. "They've put me in the Alice in Wonderland ward because they think I'm crazy," he reportedly said. "The whole thing's a conspiracy and they're just out to get me. I'm not mad." The statement from Ant's called The Sun's report "inaccurate."

Ant had planned to kick off an eight-city U.K. Htour on April 18th. There is no word yet as to whether the itinerary has been altered.

ANDREW DANSBY
(January 16, 2002)