MEL GIBSON managed to give the world’s press the slip at a surprise court hearing in Malibu yesterday — but he failed to escape punishment for driving his Lexus at almost twice the speed limit while drunk.

The Lethal Weapon actor, who infamously launched into an anti-Semitic tirade after being pulled over by a Jewish police officer last month, was put on probation for three years, given a standard 90-day driving ban and fined $1,300 (£690). He was also ordered to undergo at least a year’s treatment for alcohol abuse.

Two of the charges against him, including that of having an open bottle of tequila in a brown paper bag on the back seat of his luxury saloon, were dropped. That decision, along with the lack of jail time, community service, or even an order for him to attend court, is likely to result in accusations of celebrity favouritism.

Gibson, 50, checked into rehab shortly after the 2.36am incident on July 28. His plea of no-contest was made through his lawyer before the Malibu Superior Court, Judge Lawrence Mira.

Judge Mira noted approvingly that Gibson had already undergone “extensive” rehabilitation and had offered to make a public service message for broadcast on the dangers of drunk driving.

The Oscar-winning actor’s next film, Apocalypto, is to be released by the Walt Disney Company in December. He previously directed the controversial yet hugely successful movie The Passion of the Christ — regarded by some Jews as blaming the Crucifixion on the Jewish people.

He has apologised twice for his drunken remarks and has invited prominent Jews to help in his “path for healing”.

“This was an appropriate outcome which addresses all the public safety concerns of drinking and driving,” said Gina Satriano, the Deputy District Attorney for Malibu. Ms Satriano, who previously prosecuted the singer Courtney Love, recently took over the Gibson case from Ralph Shapiro, who is Jewish.

At the time of his detention, Gibson threatened the arresting officer by claiming to “own Malibu”. According to the officer’s handwritten report, leaked to a celebrity website and later authenticated, Gibson also cursed the “f***ing Jews”, asked the police officer if he was a Jew, and claimed that the “Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world”.

Gibson had previously refused to denounce his father’s believe that the Holocaust was “mostly fiction”.

In the second apology for his anti-Semitic outburst, Gibson said: “I am in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display, and I am asking the Jewish community, whom I have personally offended, to help me on my journey through recovery. Again, I am reaching out to the Jewish community for its help. I know there will be many in that community who will want nothing to do with me, and that would be understandable. But I pray that that door is not forever closed.”

The actor, an ultra-conservative Catholic who believes that salvation will be denied to his Anglican wife, was charged with driving while under the influence and of driving with a .08 or higher blood-alcohol content.

Judge Mira ordered him to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings five times a week for four and a half months, followed by a regime of three AA meetings a week for seven and a half months. He also ordered Gibson to enroll in an alcohol abuse programme for three months.

No mention was made of his anti-Jewish slurs.

CELEBRITY MISDEMEANOURS

Kate Moss
Last September l the supermodel was caught on camera snorting cocaine and lost fashion contracts worth millions

George Michael
The singer was arrested for alleged possession of drugs in February after being spotted slumped over the steering wheel of a car at Hyde Park Corner

Craig Charles
The Coronation Street actor was arrested on suspicion of possessing class-A drugs this month

Boy George
The former Culture Club singer forced to pick up litter on the streets of New York this week as part of his community service order after admitting falsely reporting a burglary

Times Recommends

• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Indian Army spends10m rupees on golf buggies
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating