Bert Newton’s son is back in the spotlight

Matthew Newton has stayed out of the headlines for the last few years, after making news around the world for his run-ins with police.

The son of television legend Bert Newton was charged with assault on three seperate occasions; twice for assaulting his girlfriends and once for assaulting a hotel receptionist in Miami.

Now, the actor and director finally seems to have turned over a new leaf and is receiving high praise for his new movie, which he directed, ‘From Nowhere’.

The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Australian actress Naomi Watts and won an award at the popular South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.

The movie is set on the US/Mexico border and tells the story of a teacher who tries to help three exceptional students in her school who are illegally residing in the United States.

It is a change of pace for Matthew who nearly derailed is career after struggling with drug and alcohol abuse and the shocking assault of his high-profile girlfriends.

In 2006 he was charged after assaulting Neighbours star Brooke Satchwell, and in 2010 actress Rachel Taylor took out an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against him.

While many people are happy to see the young star finding success again after struggling with personal issues for so many years, other are weary of awarding praise to someone who has proven to be violent towards women in the past.

They say there is a double standard when it comes to famous people, who sometimes seem to be able to get away with bad behaviour without suffering from any consequences.

Meanwhile, supporters say everyone deserves a second chance and are happy to see him doing so well again.

What are you thoughts?

Are you glad to see Matthew Newton finding success again? Or, is there a double standard with famous people where bad behaviour gets rewarded?