Actor Matthew Newton Arrested

Posted: Apr 08 2012

MIAMI – The troubled actor Matthew Newton is facing charges over a late-night incident in a Florida bar after having left Sydney, Australia to escape attention from his allegedly assault on a taxi driver.

The 35-year-old was arrested after being belligerent and drunk and accusing police of targeting him because he was Australian, witnesses said.

Newton, who is in the US for medical treatment and ‘some normalcy’, was taken into custody by Miami Dade County police at about 4am on Saturday local time after an incident at Mr Moe’s Restaurant and Bar in Miami.

Australian actor Matthew Newton arrested in Florida. Photo Credit: BRUNO

His lawyer, Chris Murphy, said on Twitter that Newton had been ‘charged & released for returning to seating area after being warned to leave’ and that no ‘drugs, alcohol or violence’ were alleged.

But the bar manager at Mr Moe’s, who gave his name as Jason, told the Herald that Newton was very drunk and was bothering other customers. His friends had tried to convince him to leave but he started resisting arrest and hanging on to the outdoor tables, Jason said.

He said Newton had walked away from the bar several times and then returned before the confrontation with police.

“Police asked him politely to leave and in the end they tackled him,” Jason said.

“He was pissed off and saying to the cops that they were being prejudicial to Australians.”

He said Newton had consumed only one beer at the bar before the trouble began.

The actor was charged with trespass and resisting officers without violence, Miami police said. He was released about 10am local time after a $US2000 bond was posted.