Matthew Newton assault case adjourned

An assault case against actor Matthew Newton has been adjourned for two months by a Sydney court.

Newton did not appear in court today to face two charges involving an incident with a 66-year-old Sydney cab driver last December.

Police allege the 35-year-old actor punched the driver in the head and, after being asked to exit the taxi, allegedly assaulted the man again.

Lawyer Chris Murphy described Newton as suffering from bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. He showed the court 867 photographs, to illustrate what occurred inside the cab.

He is also considering applying to have the case dealt with under mental health provisions.

The magistrate adjourned the matter for eight weeks so both sides could consider Newton’s mental health condition and evidence.

Last year Newton told A Current Affair,  “Harming anyone…it’s intolerable to harm women. It’s intolerable to harm your best friend, several of your best friends, and it’s intolerable to harm yourself and I’ve done all of those things and I utterly regret it.”

The case is adjourned until March 27th.

Source: ABC, The Australian