A former pop star was in a cannabis-induced psychotic breakdown when he attacked his lover to get away from his sprawling Sydney home because of 5G towers, a court has heard.
Sydney music figure Dennis Dowlut, of R&B groups Electric Empire and Disco Montego, avoided a conviction after pleading guilty to one charge of driving dangerously and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was also charged with intimidating the mother of his two children Alisha Oxley, the heiress of the Bushells tea fortune, but the charge was later withdrawn.
Dowlut, 47, appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court via audio-video link from his mother’s home in North Beach, Perth, on Friday morning.
The court heard Dowlut was in a “drug-induced psychosis” after smoking cannabis and took off in a white van from the family’s $4.5m Darling Point home about 2.30am on the morning of April 1.
Defence solicitor Steven Mercael told the court the father-of-two became “concerned about these 5G towers” and could not sleep for days before the offending.
After smoking cannabis, Dowlut had a breakdown and told his wife they were driving to Melbourne.
“Mr Dowlut thought it was a fit, proper and right decision to … leave the house because of the 5G in the property, having not slept for a number of days,” Mr Mercael said.
The court heard he pushed his wife out of the vehicle when she called police.
Ms Oxley tried to force her way back in when she sustained serious injuries.
“It was reckless conduct, they’re not insignificant injuries by any means but they’re not the most significant you would see,” Mr Mercael said.
Mr Mercael told the court Dowlut had no criminal history and his behaviour was completely out of character.
“It has a completely absurd nature … why would he do that if not in a mental health episode?” he said.
Following his breakdown, Dowlut left Ms Oxley in Alexandria in Sydney’s south about 3.30am and took off, sparking an emergency statewide alert.
The court heard he drove dangerously or recklessly around the area until 4.30am and was found by police near Panania railway station.
Dowlut was hospitalised for weeks, with doctors coming to the conclusion he was in a drug-induced psychosis and prescribing him antipsychotic medication, the court heard.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Jack Cheffey told the court there were multiple “real victims” not just including Ms Oxley.
“She was so fearful that she attempted to dive through the window of the car and sustained substantial injuries,” he told the court.
An interim apprehended domestic violence order (AVO) was laid against Dowlut by his wife and he was not allowed within 500m of her work or home.
Under the terms of the order, the ARIA-nominated musician was not allowed to approach, harm or threaten Ms Oxley.
Magistrate Allison Hawkins said the offending was significant.
“Mr Dowlut was suffering a drug-induced psychosis from the consumption of cannabis.”
Magistrate Hawkins told the court Dowlut had no criminal history and made an effort to engage in treatment and improved his insight into what occurred.
However, she conceded they were “serious offences”.
“It was extremely dangerous – he drove his car in a way that was dangerous to the victim who was distressed,” she said.
The magistrate discharged both matters under a Section 14 mental health order, meaning no conviction was recorded but he must continue treatment with a psychologist and remain on antipsychotic medication.
Dowlut must attend counselling with a psychologist at least once a fortnight for three months, then every three weeks for a further three months, then as directed for another six months.
He must remain compliant with psychotropic medication and discuss changes with a treating psychologist or GP.
Dowlut remained silent through most of the proceedings until the end when he quietly thanked Magistrate Hawkins.
“You have a lot to make-up with your family Mr Dowlut,” Magistrate Hawkins said.
“It’s not for me to say what your wife’s views are but I wish you well with it, continue the medication regime and remain absent from cannabis.”
The AVO will remain in place for a further two years, but was amended to state he is not allowed within 200m of Ms Oxley.
“This is the law for you: having an AVO does not make you a criminal but breaking it can and police can charge you,” Magistrate Hawkins warned.
“If you break it with violence, the court will consider jail as a penalty.”
Dowlut is best known for producing music with his brother Darren in Australian R&B duo Disco Montego, earlier known as Kaylan.
Formed in Melbourne in 1995, they had success with debut album No Commandments in 2000 and remixed tracks by superstars including Mariah Carey and Elton John.
The brothers planned to move to Los Angeles in 2005 as their reputation grew, but tragedy struck when Darren was diagnosed with a chest tumour and died age 27.
