Judge tells Gibson: 'You're on your own'

Rex Features

Mel Gibson has been given permission to serve the remainder of his DUI probation without returning to court.

The actor-turned-director will remain on probation for 18 more months, but will not have to report on his progress at the LA Superior Court after Judge Lawrence Mira said he had met the terms of his no-contest plea.

Gibson has attended five AA meetings a week for five months, completed a 90-day DUI education programme and paid $1,600 in fines. He has also served half of his three-year probation.

During a brief court hearing, Judge Mira told him: "You're on your own now with the self-help groups, so this is the most difficult time for you. Good luck to you as you continue your rehabilitation."

Gibson was booked for driving under the influence on July 28, 2006 after police spotted him speeding on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

The incident sparked a storm of controversy when TMZ published parts of the original police report, where he was found to have made a number of anti-Semitic comments following his arrest.

It was recently reported that the co-writer of The Passion of the Christ has sued Gibson for deceiving him over the film's scale.