People News

Joe Simpson sentenced for DUI

Nov 17, 2012, 11:01 GMT

Joe Simpson

Joe Simpson has been sentenced to three years probation for driving under the influence (DUI).

The showbiz patriarch - who is the father-and-manager of Jessica and Ashlee Simpson - pleaded no contest to one misdemeanour charge through his attorney on Tuesday (13.11.12) and was also ordered to attend a three-month alcohol education class and pay a fine of $390 plus penalties.

A second charge was dismissed.

Joe had been scheduled to appear in court on Monday (19.11.12) over the offence, but his attorney submitted the plea so that wouldn't have to happen.

The sentence is in relation to Joe's arrest on August 4 in California and he was pulled over and blew .12 on a breathalyser test, .04 higher than the legal limit.

He was booked and spent the rest of the night in a cell. He was released at 9:41am the following day and did not have to post bail.

Joe has had a difficult period recently and recently announced he and wife Tina were to divorce after 35 years of marriage.

Tina filed for divorce papers in Texas on September 24, stating: 'The marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities.'

The couple put their $4.4 million mansion on the market earlier this month amid rumours they were living apart.

Following the split news, Joe has denied a number of gay sex allegations.