Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for performing community service after a serious alcohol-related car accident.
The 43-year-old rock star was indicted Wednesday by the local Raymond Terrace court after being found guilty of drunk driving in the NSW Hunter area around 10:30 pm on March 23.
His lawyer, Bryan Wrench, said his client had a hard time showing in court how seriously he had taken the allegations since he went into rehab, and that he was discharged by abstaining from alcohol in June.
Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns was sentenced to 10 months in prison for community service in a serious alcohol-related car accident.
Before the incident, the court said that Johns would soon release his new music album, fueling the mental health issues he has faced since his rise in his youth.
Mr Wrench said Johns was a very private person and had been defamed by the media before he was accused of drink-driving.
Her struggle with anorexia in her early 20s led to reactive arthritis, which inflamed under stress and was self-treated with alcohol.
“His album hit number one during rehab, but it takes sanity to get to number one,” said Mr Wrench.
After his partner took him to the vacation rental to “relieve his stressors,” Johns “got in the car and drove to get away.”
Johns had pulled his gray SUV out of a gas station on Pacific Highway near North Arm Cove and headed north before crashing into a van. Both vehicles ended in a natural lane.
Johns was inhaled and his blood alcohol level was 0.157.
The driver of the 51-year-old minibus and the 55-year-old passenger were treated at the scene, while the woman was taken to the hospital.
Johns looked skinny in a baggy gray suit and black shoes as he walked beside his lawyer under an umbrella.
Judge Ian Cheetham said the allegations were serious, but Johns’ background and circumstances were exceptional in that he ordered a 10-month intensive redress.
He was ordered to continue medical treatment and was given a seven-month driving ban.
Jones looked pale and frail when he came to court to face a conviction.
Outside the local courthouse on Raymond Terrace, near Newcastle, the high-profile attorney wore a baggy gray suit and looked like he had an electronic cigarette in his pocket as he walked by the wrench.
His lawyer pleaded guilty on Johns’ behalf on April 11 at the Raymond Terrace courthouse, and the magistrate warned the singer could face jail time.
In a phone call from the rehab center that was transcribed and posted to her Instagram account, Johns talked about her relationship with alcohol and even apologized.
“My drinking has become a bigger problem than I thought, and how I used it to numb a number of deeper psychological issues I’ve had since childhood,” he said.
“Some of these issues are familiar to you, and many go much deeper. Alcohol is not a drug. I should never have treated him as he was. I feel great and I’m sorry.
“I take full responsibility for what I did on the evening of March 23, I am very sorry and I work every day to make up for it. I address these issues both professionally and privately.
“For legal reasons, I cannot share details on social media or elsewhere until June 22”.
Johns was arrested on March 23 on Pacific Highway in North Arm Cove, recording a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit.
Johns rocked an undercut mullet and bangs on his way to court
Shortly after the March incident, Johns reported that he suffered…
The “panic attack” and accident occurred after he “disappeared” on the street.
“As you know, my mental health is a work in progress. “I have good days and bad days, but that’s something I always have to deal with.”
I started having panic attacks last week. I got lost while driving last night and had an accident. I’m fine, everyone is fine.
“In addition to my therapy, I self-medicate with alcohol to deal with my anxiety and depression. I know this is not sustainable or healthy.
“Now I have to take a step back because I’m admitted to a rehab center and I don’t know how long I’m going to stay there. Appreciate your love and support as always”.
Johns (pictured with attorney Bryan Wrench) entered rehab in April to resolve alcoholism and mental health issues.
He recorded more than three times the legal limit for alcohol in his blood after he was involved in a car accident near Newcastle last month.
The car accident occurred just weeks after Daniel scolded Silverchair “colleagues” for not supporting him when he fell seriously ill in 2002.
The singer and guitarist revealed in a Facebook post in March that when the band released their fourth album, Diorama, he was diagnosed with reactive arthritis, an inflammation of the joints that causes paralyzing pain.
Johns, who was being treated for anxiety and anorexia at the time, said his group wasn’t getting the help he needed, saying it was “more work than family.”
The musician recently released his second solo album, FutureNever, and told fans that he will promote the record as he recovers.
In a phone call from rehab that was transcribed and posted to her Instagram account, Johns talked about her relationship with alcohol and even apologized.
Source: Daily Mail
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
