George Michael Released from Jail Early

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) After serving nearly half of his jail term, George Michael is now a free man.

The British singer was released from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk, England, on Monday after serving almost four weeks for driving under the influence of drugs.

Michael thanked those who had supported him while he was jailed outside his north London home. "I'm coming out here on my own so that you realize I'm going to start again," Michael told reporters.

On Sept. 14, the 47-year-old was sentencedto eight weeks in jail for crashing his Range Rover into a London storefront in July while high on prescription drugs and marijuana.

The judge ordered Michael to serve four weeks of the sentence in prison and the rest on parole. He also received a 1,250 pound (about $2,000) fine and cannot drive for five years.

Michael earned his fame in his early 20s as half of Wham! and later embarked on a successful solo career. His first solo album, 1987's "Faith," sold 20 million copies.