Newton faces court on alleged AVO breach

Actor Matthew Newton faced Downing Centre Local Court this morning charged with breaching an apprehended violence order.

The court heard Newton was punched in the face after a story by a Daily Telegraph journalist encouraged people to smack him in the mouth, which prompted a decision to return to a psychiatric hospital. It was told former girlfriend Rachael Taylor was one of the people he contacted to advise of that decision, which is a breach of an AVO.

The court heard he sent text messages to apologise for the call, which qualifies as another breach.

Newton’s lawyer Chris Murphy said Newton has a psychiatric illness and is living in fear. When the case returns to court an application will be made to have the case heard under section 32 of the Mental Health Act.

Patti Newton also attended court today but did not comment to media.

A Daily Telegraph story today makes no specific mention of the claim made about one of its own reports by lawyer Chris Murphy, but the Sydney Morning Herald does.

Source: ABC, Nine News