The former frontman of the now-defunct Australian band Silverchair, Daniel Johns, has avoided time behind bars with a 10-month intensive corrections order to be served in the community over a high-range drink-driving car crash.
He has also been disqualified from driving for seven months and ordered to fit an alcohol-reading interlock device to his car for 24 months when he gets his driver's licence back.
In March this year, Johns was charged with high-range drink driving after a head-on crash at North Arm Cove, north of Newcastle.
When tested, he returned a blood alcohol reading three times the legal limit.
Police facts tendered in Raymond Terrace Local Court said Johns, 43, was heading north in his SUV when it crossed onto the wrong side of the Pacific Highway and collided with a light commercial truck travelling in the opposite direction.
Both vehicles ended up on a nearby nature strip.
The driver of the van, a 51-year-old man, and a 55-year-old female passenger were treated at the scene.
Johns entered rehabilitation of his own will for four weeks after the crash and the court was told he had not touched alcohol since.
In his sentencing submission, defence lawyer Bryan Wrench said his client suffered from complex mental health issues from his time as a child musical star.
"His fame came to him in an unwanted fashion and fame came with attacks and vitriol, including defacing and graffitiing his mother's fence," Mr Wrench said.
"He was pursued by a weird stalker, there was a defamation case, and he was accused of going to a brothel, which was totally untrue.
Mr Wrench said at the time of the incident, Johns was anxious about the release of a long-awaited solo album.
Mr Wrench also said Johns had the support of his mother and brother during his recovery.
"He is sober, he is the real Daniel Johns, the Daniel Johns they love and who they have grown up to love," he said.
Police prosecutor Matthew Barry did not object to the defence submissions.
In sentencing Johns, Magistrate Ian Cheetham said Johns was best served to continue with psychiatric treatment in the community.
Magistrate Cheetham said the high-range drink-driving offence carried a maximum jail term of 18 months but said Johns was entitled to a 25 per cent discount for an early guilty plea.
Once proceedings ended, he thanked Johns and wished him well with his recovery.
