Daniel Johns of Silverchair fame pleaded guilty to mid-range drink-driving in Newcastle court today

EX-SILVERCHAIR frontman Daniel Johns has pleaded guilty to mid-range drink-driving after being caught behind the wheel with more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his body.

Former Silverchair singer and guitarist Daniel Johns is pictured as he leaves court after pleading guilty to drink driving charges. Picture: Jane Goldsmith / NBN News Newcastle / Twitter

EX-SILVERCHAIR frontman Daniel Johns has pleaded guilty to mid-range drink-driving after being caught behind the wheel with more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his body.

Police records show Johns was driving his black Jaguar along Morgan St in the Newcastle suburb of Merewether on October 28 when officers pulled him over for a random breath test.

“In the opinion of police the accused was moderately affected by intoxicating liquor when he was stopped by police,” tendered court documents said.

“His eyes were watery, bloodshot and he smelt heavily of intoxicating liquor.”

Johns, 35, was arrested and taken to Newcastle police station, where he returned a blood-alcohol reading of 0.126, 2.5 times the legal limit.

Johns offered a brief apology outside court after pleading guilty before being driven off in a waiting car. Picture: Jane Goldsmith/NBN News Newcastle/Twitter

Police immediately suspended his licence.

He told officers that he had consumed four “large” glasses of white wine in the hours leading up to his arrest.

He pleaded guilty in Newcastle local court this morning to one count of mid-range drink-driving and was ordered to undertake the Traffic Offenders Program.

Speaking outside court, Johns offered a brief apology for his actions before being driven away in a waiting car.

The matter was adjourned for sentencing until February 26.

The 35-year-old appeared briefly in Newcastle local court this morning following his arrest last month.

He issued a brief apology outside court before being whisked away in a waiting car.

Johns shot to stardom as a 15-year-old when, along with school friends Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou, their band Silverchair won a competition on Nomad with their song Tomorrow.

That remained in the top position on the Australian charts for six weeks and led to a three album deal with Sony Music.

The band went into “indefinite hibernation” in 2011 and Johns has been involved with several other projects best known of these is his work in conjunction with Paul Mac on their band The Dissociatives.

Daniel Johns from Silverchair on stage at regional music festival Groovin' The Moo in Maitland, in 2010.

Originally published as Daniel Johns of Silverchair fame pleaded guilty to mid-range drink-driving in Newcastle court today