THE LIBERTINES - THE LIBERTINES' TRIUMPHANT RETURN

Troubled rockers THE LIBERTINES have shot to the top of the British album charts with their eponymous second album, days after frontman PETE DOHERTY escaped a jail sentence.

The British band's follow-up to 2002's UP THE BRACKET beat out competition from MAROON 5, KEANE and last weekend's (29AUG04) chart-toppers THE PRODIGY to claim the number one spot.

On Wednesday (01SEP04), Doherty - who is currently suspended from the group while he battles drug addiction - was handed a four-month suspended sentence after admitting possession of a flick knife.

American hip-hop star NELLY also made a triumphant return to the charts - his latest offering MY PLACE/FLAP YOUR WINGS has deprived NATASHA BEDINGFIELD's three-week stint atop the UK singles line-up.

Child pop star JOJO's single, LEAVE (GET OUT), bagged second place - her first appearance on the British chart.

The top ten are as follows:

Singles:

1: NELLY - MY PLACE/FLAP YOUR WINGS

3: TWISTA - SUNSHINE

3: TWISTA - SUNSHINE

4: NATASHA BEDINGFIELD - THESE WORDS

5: 3 OF A KIND - BABY CAKES

6: 411 - DUMB

7: EMBRACE - GRAVITY

8: THE PIRATES FEATURING ENYA/AMA/BOSS/ISHANI - YOU SHOULD REALLY KNOW

9: MAROON 5 - SHE WILL BE LOVED

10: GOLDIE LOOKIN' CHAIN - GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE RAPPERS DO

Albums:

1: THE LIBERTINES - THE LIBERTINES

2: MAROON 5 - SONGS ABOUT JANE

3: KEANE - HOPES AND FEARS

4: THE PRODIGY - ALWAYS OUTNUMBERED NEVER OUTGUNNED

5: ANASTACIA - ANASTACIA

6: SCISSOR SISTERS - SCISSOR SISTERS

7: THE STREETS - A GRAND DON'T COME FOR FREE

8: SNOW PATROL - FINAL STRAW

9: BJORK - MEDULLA

10: BLUE NILE - HIGH.