Matt Newton arrested in Miami
Matthew Newton is facing charges in the US after allegedly assaulting a hotel desk clerk in Miami.
The actor was arrested for battery and resisting arrest without violence.
CCTV shows the altercation between Newton and the hotel desk clerk, Ariel Vargas. Newton had apparently been annoyed with the phone reception in the hotel and went to complain to Vargas. The video shows Newton sweeping papers off of the desk and going behind the desk to allegedly punch Vargas in the face.
Police say Newton then pushed the clerk to the ground and followed him as the clerk tried to crawl away. Newton said that the clerk had allegedly spat in his face, though the clerk accused Newton of the same thing.
This is the second time for 2012 that Newton has been arrested in the US. Earlier in April, he was charged with trespassing and resisting arrest at a Miami bar. He then spent a day in jail before being released on bail.
Newton was at Mr Moe's Restaurant and Bar in Miami with other Australians. The manager of the bar said that Newton was drinking and became increasingly belligerent. Newton was asked to leave the bar several times, but kept coming back. The police were called and back-up requested when Newton resisted arrest.
Newton has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, and a trial date has not yet been set.
These two incidents follow similar charges back in Australia, where Newton allegedly punched a 66-year-old taxi driver in the head twice. He was charged with common assault but the local trial has been delayed while Newton faces the charges in the US.
Newton's lawyer, Chris Murphy, said that Newton was in Miami to see medical experts to help with his mental illness. Newton has had problems with his behaviour for years, including charges from two previous actor girlfriends - Brooke Satchwell and Rachael Taylor - for assault.
