ID :
165310
Wed, 03/02/2011 - 11:23
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http://m.oananews.org//node/165310
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Newton mentally ill, living in fear: court
SYDNEY March 2 - Actor Matthew Newton is mentally ill and living in "utter fear" after being king-hit by a large man following a media campaign, a Sydney court has been told.
Last year it was his then-girlfriend, actress Rachael Taylor, who had "significant fears for her personal safety", according to a statement released at the time by her manager.
Newton is accused of breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO) taken out by Ms Taylor, and consented to by him, after an alleged violent incident between the couple in Rome.
The 34-year-old son of showbusiness couple Bert and Patti Newton appeared in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
He sat in the front row next to a Salvation Army court support officer, while his mother sat in the back row.
Newton was arrested last month for allegedly phoning Ms Taylor, in breach of the AVO, and for using a carriage service to menace or harass her.
His lawyer, Chris Murphy, told the court he would apply for the matter to be dealt with under the Mental Health Act.
He said Newton allegedly phoned Ms Taylor, then sent text messages saying he was sorry he had rung her.
"The decision to ring his girlfriend was a mistake," Mr Murphy said.
He said Newton spent five months in a mental health facility, adding: "He does not have any addictions, he has a psychiatric illness."
Last August, journalist Paul Kent went "on a national campaign" in the Daily Telegraph, The Australian, Seven Network and Triple M, calling on people to punch Newton in the mouth and attack him, the lawyer said.
"He said: `He's a dog, he has got to get a hiding one way or another' .. he called upon people to smack him in the mouth," Mr Murphy said.
"That journalist's wish was fulfilled."
After Newtown left the clinic, he stayed with friends and did not leave the room for five days, but in December went to buy cigarettes.
He was on the footpath in the inner Sydney suburb of Surry Hills, when a large man king-hit Newton and knocked him to the ground, Mr Murphy said.
"Blood sprayed ... there was blood on the footpath, he staggered to his feet and fell to the ground again."
A "good Samaritan" stopped his car and helped the disoriented Newton, whose blood became "splattered" around the BMW, the lawyer said.
"He received several sutures to his face and suffered a broken nose," he added.
"I have done two cases, where a man has been king-hit and killed.
"(Newton) lives in utter fear and he has got a mental illness."
He said Newton was now back at the clinic.
The matter was adjourned for a mental health issue hearing on April 13.
Last year it was his then-girlfriend, actress Rachael Taylor, who had "significant fears for her personal safety", according to a statement released at the time by her manager.
Newton is accused of breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO) taken out by Ms Taylor, and consented to by him, after an alleged violent incident between the couple in Rome.
The 34-year-old son of showbusiness couple Bert and Patti Newton appeared in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
He sat in the front row next to a Salvation Army court support officer, while his mother sat in the back row.
Newton was arrested last month for allegedly phoning Ms Taylor, in breach of the AVO, and for using a carriage service to menace or harass her.
His lawyer, Chris Murphy, told the court he would apply for the matter to be dealt with under the Mental Health Act.
He said Newton allegedly phoned Ms Taylor, then sent text messages saying he was sorry he had rung her.
"The decision to ring his girlfriend was a mistake," Mr Murphy said.
He said Newton spent five months in a mental health facility, adding: "He does not have any addictions, he has a psychiatric illness."
Last August, journalist Paul Kent went "on a national campaign" in the Daily Telegraph, The Australian, Seven Network and Triple M, calling on people to punch Newton in the mouth and attack him, the lawyer said.
"He said: `He's a dog, he has got to get a hiding one way or another' .. he called upon people to smack him in the mouth," Mr Murphy said.
"That journalist's wish was fulfilled."
After Newtown left the clinic, he stayed with friends and did not leave the room for five days, but in December went to buy cigarettes.
He was on the footpath in the inner Sydney suburb of Surry Hills, when a large man king-hit Newton and knocked him to the ground, Mr Murphy said.
"Blood sprayed ... there was blood on the footpath, he staggered to his feet and fell to the ground again."
A "good Samaritan" stopped his car and helped the disoriented Newton, whose blood became "splattered" around the BMW, the lawyer said.
"He received several sutures to his face and suffered a broken nose," he added.
"I have done two cases, where a man has been king-hit and killed.
"(Newton) lives in utter fear and he has got a mental illness."
He said Newton was now back at the clinic.
The matter was adjourned for a mental health issue hearing on April 13.
