George Michael pleads guilty to drug offenses

London — It was a slow-motion car crash — a handy metaphor for George Michael’s career.

The multimillion-selling singer was warned Tuesday that he may face jail time after driving his car into a London photo shop while under the influence of drugs.

It was the latest in a string of bizarre automotive and drug-related mishaps that have raised fears for Michael’s safety, but done little to dent the 47-year-old’s iconic status, which endures more than two decades after he released his best-selling records.

Michael was mobbed by several dozen photographers Tuesday as he arrived at London’s Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, where he admitted driving under the influence of drugs and possession of cannabis.

He was charged after plowing his Range Rover into a branch of Snappy Snaps in Hampstead, north London, in the wee hours of July 4. The dent in the wall is still visible, and someone has added one word of graffiti: Wham.

The car’s engine was still running when police arrived, but Michael had to be roused, police said. They described Michael as appearing “spaced out.”

Police: Intruder arrested at Paris Hilton’s home

Los Angeles — A man has been arrested at Paris Hilton’s Los Angeles home after the socialite said he tried to break into her house while holding two big knives.

Police Officer Gregory Baek says the man was arrested about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday but his name hasn’t been released.

Hilton said on her Twitter page: “So Scary, just got woken up to a guy trying to break into my house holding 2 big knifes. Cops are here arresting him.”

Baek couldn’t confirm if the man was armed.

Baek says the break-in was reported by telephone but he didn’t know if it came from Hilton or an alarm company.

Hilton posted a photo on Twitter of police arresting the man.

Status hearing set in Lohan probation case

Los Angeles — A status hearing will be held in Lindsay Lohan’s probation case amid unconfirmed reports that she could be released early from rehab.

Court officials had said Superior Court Judge Elden Fox planned to issue a ruling Tuesday, but spokesman Allan Parachini later said any ruling would be issued after the hearing set for today.

The actress is not required to attend the hearing.

Lohan has been in an inpatient program since Aug. 2, serving a court-ordered 90-day stay. She went to rehab after spending 14 days in jail for a probation violation in a 2007 drug case.

Fox is now handling the case after taking over for another judge.