New York ? A Manhattan judge has adjourned a court appearance by Boy George on narcotics charges until next year. The singer was said to be in England.

Criminal Court Judge Patricia Nunez granted the adjournment Monday at the request of defense and prosecution lawyers. Boy George, whose real name is George O’Dowd, is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 1.

The judge asked whether the case was near a resolution. Assistant District Attorney Craig Ortner said he and George’s lawyer had held discussions. But Lewis Freeman, George’s lawyer, said no plea negotiations had yet taken place.

Freeman said outside court that George, 44, was excused from this court date so he could work on literary and recording projects in England.

He was arrested Oct. 7 on drug charges after he called 911 to report what he said was a pre-dawn burglary in his Manhattan apartment. Officers arrived at George’s apartment and discovered a small amount of cocaine next to a computer, police said.