The Australian actor, who is currently staying in the U.S., is facing legal woes Down Under after he was accused of assaulting a taxi driver in December (11) and was recently ordered to return to his native country to take part in the court proceedings.
However, his troubles escalated last week (ends08Apr12) when he was detained by police in Miami on suspicion of obstruction and trespass. He was subsequently released on $200,000 (£125,000) bail.
Newton’s attorney, Chris Murphy, appeared at Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Tuesday (10Apr12) as part of the ongoing assault case and addressed the incident in the U.S.
He insisted Newton, who has battled mental health problems in the past, had not consumed any alcohol before his arrest and is due to see a therapist to address his fragile emotional state.
He told the magistrate, “My client is hunted like a wounded animal… No one’s suggesting any aggression on his part… My extreme concern… is that he is suicidal. He is seeing a psychiatrist today. This is an unfortunate thing that has happened in America.”
Magistrate Jane Mottley reiterated that Newton will have to return to Sydney to face the charges against him, but she adjourned the case for three months to allow time for the American legal proceedings to be completed.
