Schizophrenia, drugs 'behind Newton rage'

Friends of Mattthew Newton have claimed that his drug problem is to blame for his short temper.

They have said that the Underbelly actor, who has undergone "neurological diagnostic investigations" since allegedly attacking girlfriend Rachael Taylor at a hotel in Rome, has become "schizophrenic" after years of taking drugs.

One pal of Newton told The Sunday Telegraph: "He's been like this as long as I've known him. I know about his pot use, his coke use and definitely alcohol. His most common use is pot. He'd smoke joints - I'd say at least three or four joints minimum a day.

"He does have a turn in his personality, and it's often triggered by a chemical substance or something he's using. Otherwise, in general he's very charming, very creative, very talented. He's just got that typical tortured artist's mind.

"As soon as he puts anything in his body that has anything to do with a chemical base or anything to do with altering his mind, he snaps with aggression."

Another friend said: "[His lifelong fame is] a very heavy element of what he's going through. He's had to deal with a lot, and I think there's a lot people don't know."