Vines frontman charged with assaulting mother

SYDNEY (AFP) - The lead singer of Australian rock group The Vines appeared in court on Wednesday charged with assault after allegedly holding knives to his mother's throat, and intimidating his parents, with whom he lives.

Vines frontman Craig Nicholls fronted a Sydney court on five charges including assault and stalking or intimidating with the intention of causing physical or mental harm to his parents.

He is also subject to a restraining order requiring him to stay away from mother Noreen, 60, and father Terry, 65, after what was alleged in court documents to be a history of violence and abuse towards them.

Nicholls was arrested on Saturday at the family home, allegedly injuring two police officers as they attempted to take him away following an altercation in which he swore at and hit his mother.